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Goodstart has reached an important milestone in supporting national early childhood education and care reform, contributing more than 44,000 data points to an Australian Government project aimed at informing future funding arrangements.
In recent weeks, Goodstart submitted detailed information from 91 centres across Australia to the Australian Government's Service Delivery Price project, helping build a clearer picture of what it costs to deliver quality early learning across different communities and circumstances.
Announced in 2024, the project forms part of the Government's response to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care, which recommended significant reforms to make early learning more accessible, affordable and inclusive.
These recommendations include increasing subsidies for low income families, expanding funded support for children with disability to participate meaningfully in early learning alongside their peers, and introducing new equity funding to improve outcomes for children and communities experiencing disadvantage.
Goodstart has advocated for these reforms over many years and strongly supports their implementation.
Building the evidence for meaningful reform
Before making significant changes to funding arrangements, the Australian Government is seeking a better understanding of the costs involved in delivering early childhood education and care across different service types, locations and children's needs.
The Service Delivery Price project will provide important evidence to inform these decisions and help shape a more equitable early learning system.
Goodstart's contribution draws on information from 91 centres across Australia, from Flinders Street in central Melbourne to Lennox Head in coastal NSW and Mount Isa in far western Queensland.
In total, Goodstart submitted approximately 44,000 data points, covering operating costs, workforce, facilities and the support provided to children with additional needs.
The breadth of this information reflects the diverse communities Goodstart serves and the different resources required to deliver quality early learning.
Supporting a better future for Australia's children
As Australia's largest not-for-profit early learning provider, Goodstart has long advocated for funding arrangements that better support children and families, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or barriers to participation.
The Service Delivery Price project represents an important step towards building the evidence needed to support these reforms.
Goodstart looks forward to the project's findings and the opportunity to share insights from its own data.
By contributing to this work, Goodstart is helping advance its vision for an Australia where every child has the learning, development and wellbeing outcomes they need for school and life, regardless of where they live or their family circumstances.
Ultimately, it's another step towards universal access to quality early childhood education and care, and ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.