The Parenthood Newsletter December 2023

We are thrilled to bring you the latest developments and crucial insights into our work. Jessica Rudd passionately advocated for the federal government to make early childhood education and care more affordable.

Dear friends and supporters,

We are thrilled to bring you the latest developments and crucial insights into our work. In a recent address to the National Press Club and National Rural Press Club in Canberra, Jessica Rudd passionately advocated for the federal government to make early childhood education and care more affordable. Watch her address here.

“It’s a ‘win for all’ issue: It’s good for children. It’s good for families and it’s good for the economy,” said Jess during her address that echoes our vision: every child, regardless of background or location, deserves access to affordable top-tier early childhood education and care.

We also launched our latest report, 'Choiceless: The plight of parents in accessing regional, rural and remote early learning and care'. In 166 stories and case studies from across the country, regional, rural and remote families and community members share their struggles due to inaccessible childcare, and we make the case for governments to lead on strong solutions.

Discover more about these and other critical topics in our newsletter!

Many thanks

The Parenthood team

JESSICA RUDD’s ADDRESS TO THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB AND NATIONAL RURAL PRESS CLUB
The federal government should make childcare cheaper to help struggling families, Jess told the National Press Club & National Rural Press Club in Canberra. "Reforming early childhood education is legacy material. It’s a reform that will deliver immediate benefits for families on cost of living, but it is also a reform that will build our future capability. It’s an investment in the leaders of tomorrow." Find out more.

REGIONAL PARENTS LEFT ‘CHOICELESS’ - NEW REPORT UNVEILS
On November 13, The Parenthood unveiled its new report, 'Choiceless: The plight of parents in accessing regional, rural and remote early learning and care', at Parliament House in Canberra.The report reveals the devastating impacts that limited or nonexistent early childhood education and care (ECEC) has on regional, rural and remote families, like Claire, whose mum travelled a 600-km round trip each week to provide desperately needed care, or the couple in Broome who are struggling on one income and need family help to pay the bills. Read their stories, and more, here.

FIXING THE ACTIVITY TEST COULD BOOST THE ECONOMY BY $4.5 BILLION
New research has revealed that removing the Activity Test could increase female workforce participation by up to 39,620 people per year, delivering an economic boost of $4.5 billion. The research also estimates that in New South Wales and Victoria each year, 108.000 children are at risk of missing out on universal access to pre-school. Our media release.

OVER 8,000 VACANCIES IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SECTOR
Australia is currently grappling with a severe workforce crisis in the early childhood education sector, as the number of vacancies surpasses a significant milestone, exceeding 8,000 for the first time ever, according to new data published by the Australian Government. “We need swift and comprehensive action by the government to address the current workforce crisis,” said Jessica Rudd in our media release.