New research finds that improving the early learning and childcare system is a top voting consideration for parents of young children, more so than other pressing matters like climate change and crime.
Childcare reform comes in third place in terms of parents’ political priorities, just behind reducing the cost of living and improving the health system, as outlined in Thrive by Five’s ‘Early Learning Monitor’, released today.
CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, said the results show that commitments on early childhood education and care reform will be front and centre in shaping parents’ voting intentions in the upcoming federal election.
“The cost-of-living is the biggest issue on most of the population’s radar at the moment, and for parents of young children, the cost of childcare is inextricably linked to that,” said Ms Dent.
The 2024 Early Learning Monitor, carried out by Essential Research, also found that the vast majority (70 per cent) of Australians agree that cheaper early learning and care would be very good for the Australian economy as a whole.
“Parents of pre-school aged kids are bearing some of the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, with many who are working full time and have their kids in care five days a week paying what feels like a second mortgage.
“And that’s only parents who can access early learning services in the first place. We know that for many families, making it to the front of a service’s waitlist or finding a service within a reasonable distance from home is near impossible.
“If parents can’t access care, they can’t work and earn. In an economy that requires two salaries to cover standard household bills, this has to change.
“A legislated, universal system would guarantee the right of every child to access early childhood education and care. As long as the market operates privately – which 70 per cent of it currently does – it serves higher-income families living in the cities first and foremost, and even families in this cohort are struggling with the cost.
“The Parenthood supports Thrive by Five’s call to Make it Law and protect the right of every child to access early childhood education and care, regardless of their background, income or postcode” said Ms Dent.
