The Parenthood congratulates the Federal Government on their delivery of the inaugural Early Years Strategy, which sets out a ten-year roadmap to better coordinate early childhood services and policies for children, parents and caregivers.
The first of its kind, CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, said the strategy acknowledges the profound significance of the early years for child development, as well as the importance of parenting and caregiving.
“The strategy’s call for a more nationally consistent early childhood system is fantastic and welcome,” said Ms Dent. “No child or family exists in a silo with needs that can be discreetly separated. Australia’s early childhood system should address the needs of the whole child in an integrated way.”
The Parenthood also commends the Government for making the empowerment of parents, caregivers and families a key pillar.
“Acknowledgement from our leaders of the systemic relationship between universal early childhood education and care and happier, more supported children, parents, families and communities is heartening,” said Ms Dent. “We know that supporting children starts with supporting their parents and caregivers and that’s been validated.”
The strategy outlines an intention to increase the childcare subsidy, change the Activity Test – which determines subsidy eligibility based on hours worked – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, and resolve the educator workforce crisis.
Ahead of next week’s Federal Budget The Parenthood is calling for the abolition of the Activity Test as well as a government-funded 25 per cent wage rise for early childhood educators.
“The Early Years Strategy is an excellent blueprint for a long-term vision to ensure children in Australia are supported to realise their potential,” said Ms Dent. “In the short term we are calling for immediate and ambitious action to make quality early childhood education and care more accessible for more children and families.”
“We congratulate the Commonwealth Government for its commitment to the early years and look forward to working with them and State Governments to roll out the Early Years Strategy,” said Ms Dent. “We hope to hear more good news from the Federal Government next week.”
