On Friday 27th June, Education Ministers announced a suite of measures to strengthen child safety and quality in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services.
CEO of early childhood think tank The Front Project, Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow, welcomed the announcement as a positive step forward in putting children first, but said stronger national coordination is now urgently needed.
“It’s time for Ministers to clarify who is responsible for which part of the system — and who is responsible for the whole,” said Dr Croser-Barlow. “This could take the form of a new national partnership, changing the function of the regular Education Ministers Meeting, or the establishment of a National Early Childhood Commission.”
Despite extensive consultation on a National Vision for Early Childhood Education and Care in 2023, momentum appears to have stalled.
“The federal government spends more than $14 billion a year on early childhood education and care subsidies yet no one is accountable for overseeing the entire system.” Dr Croser-Barlow said.
Referencing the Front Project’s submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry, Dr Croser-Barlow warned that without proactive planning, many families will be left behind.
“No one is stepping up to plan for future demand by identifying and investing in areas that are growing. Without action, many families will be left in ‘childcare deserts’ - areas with little or no access to services - while other postcodes are saturated with services in wealthier suburbs where providers can charge higher fees.”
“Australia already has world-class quality standards for ECEC. We know what works: warm and reciprocal relationships, skilled educators, and supportive learning environments. But implementation and accountability are left to a patchwork of underfunded state and territory bodies — with no national coordination.”
Dr Croser-Barlow noted the growing dominance of for-profit providers.
“For-profit services have played a role in expanding access, and many provide high-quality care. But research shows they are overrepresented in lower-quality service data, and underrepresented in low-income or regional communities where families most need support.”
“We need strong leadership to ensure children’s outcomes are prioritised over profit, and that quality new services are established based on need — not just where the return is highest.”
Dr Croser-Barlow concluded by pointing to the Prime Minister’s ambition for universal early learning.
“If universal early learning is to be a true legacy of this government, then a national agreement on roles and responsibilities — whether through a national partnership or an independent early childhood commission — is the way to get it right.”
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Rachel Wallbridge, Government Relations and Engagement Manager
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