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What is the Early Learning Fund and what does it do?

The Early Learning Fund is a little more help to ensure someone gets the same opportunities as the child who lives next door, down the street, or around the corner. Their Mum may have died suddenly, or their Dad has a major mental health issue, either way their life is thrown into chaos and they are at risk of not attending their local early learning centre, just when it matters most.

The Early Learning Fund (ELF) works to identify and support young children who might otherwise miss out.

ELF provides support for children living in disadvantaged circumstances who would otherwise miss out on preschool/kindergarten in the years before school.

All the evidence shows that children who attend quality early learning in the year before school, do better at school and life. Vulnerable children stand to benefit the most from access to quality early learning, however, research consistently indicates they are the least likely to attend, due to cost and other participation barriers.

So, exactly how does ELF work?

ELF ensures each qualifying child receives a minimum of two days per week, with dedicated support, in a Goodstart centre.

Through the Fund, the cost of two days of early learning each week is almost entirely covered through targeted fee relief, with families making a small $5 per week co-contribution as a shared commitment to their child’s early learning journey.