Media Releases

A Decisive Step Towards Delivering a Bold Vision for Australia’s Children

A Decisive Step Towards Delivering a Bold Vision for Australia’s Children

Today is a significant day for children in Australia. For a long time we have known that high-quality education and care (ECEC) helps shift the dial on addressing childhood disadvantage, and today we see that recognised and celebrated.

December 11, 2024
The NQF Works!

The NQF Works!

The Front Project and Deloitte Access Economics’ policy explainer “The NQF Works! Implications of AERO's study linking quality and child development highlights the essential role of quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) in shaping children’s developmental outcomes.  

November 24, 2024
Productivity Commission Report: A Pivotal Moment for ECEC Reform

Productivity Commission Report: A Pivotal Moment for ECEC Reform

The Front Project welcomes the Productivity Commission’s final report on its inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Australia. We welcome the report's vision of a future where every child, regardless of their background, has access to high quality early learning.

September 17, 2024
15% Wage Boost: A win for educators, children and families

15% Wage Boost: A win for educators, children and families

The Front Project celebrates the historic 15% wage increase for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals, announced by the Federal Government.

August 7, 2024
The Front Project appoints Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow as new Chief Executive Officer

The Front Project appoints Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow as new Chief Executive Officer

Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of leading early learning organisation the Front Project (TFP). 

March 19, 2024
ACCC report highlights urgent need to abolish activity test

ACCC report highlights urgent need to abolish activity test

The Front Project welcomes the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) final report signalling important changes needed to ensure the early learning system meets the needs of all children, families and communities in Australia.

January 29, 2024
The time has come, cut the activity test, raise wages

The time has come, cut the activity test, raise wages

In their pre-budget submission, leading early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisation, the Front Project, has a vision that a high quality universal ECEC system becomes a reality in Australia.

January 28, 2024
The Front Project supports the Productivity Commission’s recommendations to improve early childhood education and care and give all children a better start in life

The Front Project supports the Productivity Commission’s recommendations to improve early childhood education and care and give all children a better start in life

The Front Project welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission’s draft report into Early Childhood Education and Care which charts a clear path for achieving universal access to ECEC for all children in Australia.

November 24, 2023
New report highlights families value early learning but system not meeting their needs

New report highlights families value early learning but system not meeting their needs

Families in Australia agree that we have a collective responsibility to ensure all young children receive quality care and education, but finding suitable childcare is expensive and sometimes impossible, according to the Front Project’s new flagship research. 

November 17, 2023
Join the force for change in Early Learning through the Apiary Fellowship

Join the force for change in Early Learning through the Apiary Fellowship

Skilled professionals eager to transform early learning are invited to join an innovative fellowship of system changemakers

October 9, 2023
ACCC report highlights urgent need for more action to address childcare costs, affordability, and accessibility for all children and families

ACCC report highlights urgent need for more action to address childcare costs, affordability, and accessibility for all children and families

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s second interim report makes clear more action is needed to address high childcare fees. This is critical as it greatly impacts those children who stand to benefit the most - those experiencing disadvantage.

October 9, 2023
The Front Project welcomes NSW budget measures to boost early childhood education and care

The Front Project welcomes NSW budget measures to boost early childhood education and care

The Front Project welcomes the Minns government’s budget commitment to maintain the $5.7 billion dollars in funding over 10 years for universal preschool access and its boost to the state’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. 

October 2, 2023
The Front Project welcomes the Measuring What Matters report

The Front Project welcomes the Measuring What Matters report

Leading early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisation, The Front Project, welcomes the government's statement that ‘Every child deserves the opportunity for the best start to life, setting a strong foundation to achieve their goals and dreams, no matter where they are born or raised.’

July 20, 2023
The Front Project responds to the Federal Budget 2023-24

The Front Project responds to the Federal Budget 2023-24

The Front Project has welcomed the 2023 Federal Budget measures to support the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, but said more needs to be done to support vulnerable children and families. 

May 10, 2023
The Front Project supports action after Early Years Summit

The Front Project supports action after Early Years Summit

Leading early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisation, The Front Project, has welcomed the Albanese Government’s commitment to the Early Years after the successful National Early Years Summit held in Canberra last week.

February 22, 2023
Want to shape the future of early childhood education? Applications now open to join a fellowship of system leaders in early learning

Want to shape the future of early childhood education? Applications now open to join a fellowship of system leaders in early learning

Early learning professionals are encouraged to apply for the sector’s foremost system change initiative, the Apiary, joins together people who are committed to creating thriving futures for children in Australia.

January 24, 2023
Responding to the workforce shortage: new early childhood teachers graduate via innovative program

Responding to the workforce shortage: new early childhood teachers graduate via innovative program

A unique program designed to support early educators has achieved student retention rates more than five times higher than the national course completion rate for early childhood undergraduate teaching degrees.

November 22, 2022
New report presents opportunity for a sustainable, quality, responsive and equitable early childhood education system

New report presents opportunity for a sustainable, quality, responsive and equitable early childhood education system

From workforce shortages, to maintaining quality and barriers to access, the early childhood education sector (ECEC) faces a range of complex challenges that mean it is unable to meet the needs of many children and families around Australia. 

September 27, 2022
Child care subsidy changes a win for families and the nation, but more work to do

Child care subsidy changes a win for families and the nation, but more work to do

Leading early childhood education and care (ECEC) organisation, The Front Project has welcomed the passing of legislation into the Australian Parliament to lift the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

September 28, 2022
 Evidence base vital to inform three-year-old kindergarten programs in Victoria and beyond

Evidence base vital to inform three-year-old kindergarten programs in Victoria and beyond

A five-year research project to evaluate three-year-old kindergarten in Victoria was officially launched by Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt at Dulap Wilim Pre-school in Sunbury today.

June 24, 2022
Your invitation to join a generation of catalytic leaders building long-term change in early learning

Your invitation to join a generation of catalytic leaders building long-term change in early learning

The Early Childhood and Education Care (ECEC) sector is set to undergo major changes given the recent announcements by the Victorian and New South Wales governments.

June 23, 2022
Calling all Victorian educators studying or about to study to become an ECT!

Calling all Victorian educators studying or about to study to become an ECT!

Early childhood workers will be supported to upskill and become kindergarten teachers, thanks to an innovative new partnership between the Andrews Labor Government and the Front Project.

May 24, 2022
New report shines light on higher rates of child developmental vulnerability in rural, remote and regional areas

New report shines light on higher rates of child developmental vulnerability in rural, remote and regional areas

The percentage of children experiencing developmental vulnerability before they start school is significantly higher in remote and outer regional areas than in cities, according to new analysis of the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data released by The Front Project today.

May 11, 2022
Second round funded opportunity for diploma qualified educators to become Early Childhood Teachers in Victoria now open

Second round funded opportunity for diploma qualified educators to become Early Childhood Teachers in Victoria now open

The Front Project is excited to announce we are working with the Victorian Department of Education and Training and the Australian Catholic University to offer this exceptional opportunity for diploma qualified educators to become Early Childhood Teachers.

April 27, 2022
Federal Budget: Positive initiatives, but more work needed to help children experiencing disadvantage to access early education

Federal Budget: Positive initiatives, but more work needed to help children experiencing disadvantage to access early education

The Front Project CEO Jane Hunt says measures to ease the financial burden on families for early childhood education and care (ECEC), enhanced paid parental leave, and further investment to establish additional ECEC services in remote, rural and regional areas announced in the Federal budget, are most welcome.

March 30, 2022
Budget a vital opportunity to help disadvantaged children access early education

Budget a vital opportunity to help disadvantaged children access early education

The Front Project is calling on the Australian Government to use the upcoming Budget to make sure no child misses out on the benefits of early education and care (ECEC) by addressing the barriers to access currently faced by children living in disadvantaged circumstances.

March 22, 2022
Philanthropy backs Australian-first study of Three-Year-Old Kinder with $5.7 million

Philanthropy backs Australian-first study of Three-Year-Old Kinder with $5.7 million

Philanthropy backs Australian-first study of Three-Year-Old Kinder with $5.7 million Australia’s largest philanthropic foundation will spend $5.7 million to undertake a landmark evaluation of the state-wide roll-out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in Victoria.

November 23, 2021
Early learning connection hub brings community support online in wake of pandemic

Early learning connection hub brings community support online in wake of pandemic

new Online Community will see some of the hardest working “unsung heroes” throughout the pandemic get the support they need to continue supporting others.

October 20, 2021
It’s hard work for families to make sure kids can learn and play

It’s hard work for families to make sure kids can learn and play

One of biggest opportunities we have to get parents into jobs and give young children the best start to life is to improve the way Australian families experience our early learning system.

June 16, 2021
Extra funding for early learning will help Australian families and our economic comeback

Extra funding for early learning will help Australian families and our economic comeback

The latest Budget commitment marks an important step in building a high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) system that delivers benefits to all children and their families. 

May 2, 2021
Access to early learning now can reverse the growing disadvantage facing Australian families

Access to early learning now can reverse the growing disadvantage facing Australian families

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is key to addressing one of the largest increases in disadvantage that Australian families have ever faced.

November 30, 2020
Australia’s recovery hinges on early learning

Australia’s recovery hinges on early learning

The reason why early childhood education and care (ECEC) is one of the hottest topics from this week’s Federal Budget and Budget Reply speeches is because it impacts every Australian.

October 9, 2020
Optimising the Child Care Subsidy will get families back to work and the economy back on track

Optimising the Child Care Subsidy will get families back to work and the economy back on track

Optimising the current Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will improve affordability for families, get parents back into the workforce and significantly boost the nation’s GDP.

September 7, 2020
How Australia can invest in children and return more

How Australia can invest in children and return more

Evidence-based early intervention can radically change outcomes for Australian children and young people. Download media release.

December 12, 2019
Investing in early childhood education doubles the return to Australia

Investing in early childhood education doubles the return to Australia

The first comprehensive Australian analysis of the economic impact of early childhood education. Download media release.

June 19, 2019