Early education reforms receive high praise across the board

This week’s announcement that a re-elected Albanese Labor Government will expand access to quality early education has received widespread endorsement from advocacy groups, industry and unions.

The Government’s Building Early Education Fund and a 3 Day Guarantee for subsidised early education have been described as “momentous” by groups representing parents and workers. 

• Goodstart CEO, Dr Ros Baxter

  “This will change lives. It will boost our nation’s productivity, ensuring Australia’s children don’t fall behind. And it will support more parents into work, study and training.

  “It is fair to say many of us had a tear in our eyes as we read the announcement, knowing the real difference this will make in the lives of so many children.

  “It is absolutely extraordinary to be celebrating this announcement in the same week that Goodstart delivered an historic federal government funded pay increase for our 17,000+ Goodstart educators. This visionary foundational investment by the Albanese Government means we will have the dedicated professional workforce ready to welcome children and families to services right across the nation.”

• BCA Executive Director, Policy Wendy Black

  “Affordable, accessible and quality childcare can help deliver long-term economic benefits and will improve outcomes, particularly for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.

  “The BCA has long called for an early childhood education guarantee based on quality, universal access to give children a strong educational foundation.

  “A contemporary, universal childcare system can ensure young Australians have the foundational skills they will need over their lifetime and maximise the human talent pipeline of our nation."

• The Parenthood CEO, Georgie Dent

  “Today is the day I have been hanging out for professionally for the past four years and seven months since I became CEO of The Parenthood. It’s a day I’ve been hanging out for personally for 13 years and seven months when I first encountered how difficult it was to secure a place in early learning for our young daughter.

  “I could not be more delighted to be entering a new era. A new era where universal early childhood education and care is closer to reality than a dream.

  “Ensuring that every child has access to at least three days a week of high quality early childhood education and care is smart educational, social and economic policy.”

• National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins
  
  "The Building Early Education Fund will bring much-needed childcare services to regions and outer suburbs identified as ‘childcare deserts’ where access has been historically limited.”
   
• ACTU President, Michele O’Neil
  
  “This cost-of-living win is a gamechanger for working families across Australia. 
  
  “The policy will also drive increased women’s participation in the workforce supporting economic activity and an uplift in the nation’s productivity.”

• Centre for Policy Development CEO, Andrew Hudson

  “Guaranteeing that every child in Australia can have access to 3 days a week of early learning is a game-changer.
  
  “We know that a truly universal early childhood education and care system is a no brainer. It's a win for children, families, women and the economy.
  
  “Today’s reforms, along with previously announced measures like legislated pay rises for early educators, demonstrate a real dedication to delivering a universal system.”

• Minderoo Foundation, Jay Weatherill
  
  “This is what rural and outer-suburban communities have been crying out for. Not having access to childcare and early learning affects everyone, because parents can’t get back to work when they want to, and local businesses and services suffer.
  
  “This is a momentous step and we are looking forward to hearing more from the Government. We know politicians from all sides care about this issue so we hope to see any commitments matched by the Opposition. The wellbeing of children and families should be beyond politics.”

The only organisations to criticise Labor’s next steps to build a universal early education and care system are the Liberal Party and the Greens political party.