Dear friends and supporters in Victoria,
The Victorian state election is THIS weekend!
If early childhood education and care is a vote deciding issue for you then you have a real choice because there is a huge difference between what the two major parties are offering.
The Andrews' government has made a historic commitment to free play-based learning for three and four year olds as well as the rollout of affordable government-run early learning centres. That commitment was matched in NSW by the Liberal state government. It hasn't been matched - so far - by the Opposition in Victoria.
Last weekend the Premier, Daniel Andrews, met with two families from The Parenthood who described the pressure associated with inaccessible and unaffordable early childhood education and care.
"The cost of childcare has been a massive barrier for me to work,” Natalie Flores, a mum of two, said. “I stayed home with our kids two years longer than I’d planned because working made no financial sense."
If re-elected, the Victorian Labor Government has committed to deliver free kinder for all 3 and 4 year olds, and establish 50 low-cost government-run services in areas that need it most, which will help parents like Natalie.
It’s a massive step in the right direction and it is smart reform. Free and affordable early learning and care will reduce cost of living pressures for families, increase workforce participation for parents, boost the state economy and set children up to thrive.
So far, the Opposition hasn't made an announcement on early childhood education and care for Victorian families.
That’s why we’re asking the Opposition Leader, the Hon Matthew Guy, to commit to early childhood education reform (you can send him a quick email here). So far we haven't heard back.
As it stands now, on Saturday you have a real choice to change the early childhood education system in Victoria for the better and get a better deal for families!
Many thanks,
Georgie and The Parenthood team.
