Spotlight Weeks
Almost everything you ever wanted to know about parenting in the early years!
Parenting is one of the greatest joys in life! (Except for getting up in the middle of the night to change nappies...)
However, for many Australians the parenting experience is more challenging than it needs to be due to a lack of support as they transition to parenthood and navigate the additional responsibilities of caring for their little ones. These challenges are leading to negative outcomes for children, parents, carers and society.
In Australia, we have the fourth most expensive early learning and care in the world. Among OECD nations Australia has one of the least adequate statutory paid parental leave programs, with just 20 weeks offered at the minimum wage. The OECD average is more than 50 weeks' paid leave.
This is just the start. There are even more areas in which Australia could improve - so we can be the best place in the world to be a parent!
During our Spotlight Weeks we'll take a closer look at these areas with parents, carers, experts and decision makers on our social media channels.
What is Paid Parental Leave (PPL)? How does Australia compare to other countries? What is the difference between the federal and employer schemes? What is the ideal PPL?
Which early learning programmes are best suited for First Nations families? What is the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood strategy?
Why is early education so expensive? Where does all the money go to? Listen to early educators and find out more about their role and why they deserve better.
How can families with disability navigate early education and care? How does the system need to change?
What are the elements of “universal access”?
Why is it important to ensure we have access to these?
What does “universal access” include?
What is super and why do we need it? Why do women have dramatically less super accrued by retirement age than men? How can we improve it?
How will policy reforms lead to gender equity?
Why is gender equity so important, anyway? What does it currently look like, and how can we improve it?
Now that we’ve explored the importance of paid parental leave and early childhood education and care, we look to other countries to see how it can be done.