Dear friends and supporters,
On October 14th, Australians will be asked to vote at a referendum to decide whether to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the Constitution.
We know some parents still have a lot of questions about the referendum so we’ve organised a free online event for families next Tuesday to learn more about what a Voice to Parliament actually means and how to talk to children about it.
Find out more about our special event, why South Australia might lead the way to universal early education, and our Rural and Regional Campaign in this newsletter.
We hope to see you at the event next week! 😊
The Parenthood team
PS. On the 6th of September was Early Childhood Educator’s Day - Watch The Parenthood team’s thank you videos here.
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE VOICE
Little ones always ask the big questions. This event is a great opportunity for The Parenthood community to come together and chat about how to navigate those conversations about the upcoming Voice Referendum in an age appropriate way. We know time is scarce, so we want to make this late-evening event easy for you to attend with your kids. It is set to be a fun and engaging session for both parents and kids! Find out more here.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS DAY
Early Childhood Educators Day is a great opportunity to thank the incredible early childhood educators for the essential work they do educating and caring for our children. Thank you for all the amazing work you do! Educators need to be valued, supported and paid better.
Our CEO, Jessica Rudd, attended a meeting with Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth, on Monday advocating for better wages for early educators. Learn more here.
REGIONAL AND RURAL FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER!
In October, we’re planning to release a report with stories by families from regional, rural, and remote Australia who struggle to access early childhood education and care. We already have more than 100 stories but are still looking to get a few more - especially from families in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Help us convince federal, state and territory governments to improve access to early childhood education and care. Share your experiences with childcare in regional, rural and remote areas.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA COULD LEAD THE WAY REFORMING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
We welcome the release of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care’s recommendations as a significant step towards a universal early childhood education in South Australia. The Final Report makes recommendations on how to support families during the first 1000 days of a child's life, universal three and four-year-old preschool, out of school hours care and an Office for the Early Years. Our media release.
FUTURE SUCCESS REQUIRES AFFORDABLE EARLY EDUCATION
“Our country needs new strategies and investments to cope with our ageing population and workforce shortfalls,” said Jessica Rudd, CEO of The Parenthood, in our media release on the new Intergenerational Report. “It’s an economic own goal to have parents locked out of paid work or working less hours than desired because they can’t find or can’t afford to pay for a suitable early learning centre for their child.”
