Today’s joint announcement by the Premiers of New South Wales and Victoria moving towards universal access to free 5-day preschool over the next eight years is a game changer that offers the real opportunity to improve educational outcomes for Australia’s children.
Goodstart Early Learning, Australia’s largest not for profit provider of early learning and preschool programs, has welcomed today’s announcement as the biggest reform in preschool in over a decade.
Goodstart’s CEO Julia Davison said the reform was informed by research showing that children who accessed two years of preschool before they start school were more likely to be developmentally ontrack with better education outcomes right through their schooling and beyond.
“Universal access to free preschool will mean more children starting school ready for school, and will be a game changer in improving Australia’s educational and economic outcomes,” she said.
“This announcement is great for children, good for families and good for Australia.
“It will be a complex reform that will involve major changes to the funding and operation of long day care centres and preschools in both states, and we welcome the commitment from both Premiers of extensive consultation with the sector.
“This reform will complement the Federal Government’s commitment to universal access to child care, and we would encourage all States and the Commonwealth to get on board so that all Australia’s children can receive the full benefit.
“Both levels of Government need to start working together now to invest in the early childhood workforce to make sure there are enough teachers and educators to deliver their big reforms.
“I congratulate Premier Perrottet and Premier Andrews on this commitment that puts Australia’s children right at the heart of economic and social reform.
“Goodstart looks forward to working with both Governments and the Commowealth to make this reform happen,” she said.
Goodstart is a not for profit social enterprise with 665 centres nationally that provide preschool programs for 15,000 children and early learning and care for over 70,000 children.
For more information John Cherry 0477 370 634 or media@goodstart.org.au
Goodstart Early Learning, Australia’s largest not for profit provider of early learning and preschool programs, has welcomed today’s announcement as the biggest reform in preschool in over a decade.
Goodstart’s CEO Julia Davison said the reform was informed by research showing that children who accessed two years of preschool before they start school were more likely to be developmentally ontrack with better education outcomes right through their schooling and beyond.
“Universal access to free preschool will mean more children starting school ready for school, and will be a game changer in improving Australia’s educational and economic outcomes,” she said.
“This announcement is great for children, good for families and good for Australia.
“It will be a complex reform that will involve major changes to the funding and operation of long day care centres and preschools in both states, and we welcome the commitment from both Premiers of extensive consultation with the sector.
“This reform will complement the Federal Government’s commitment to universal access to child care, and we would encourage all States and the Commonwealth to get on board so that all Australia’s children can receive the full benefit.
“Both levels of Government need to start working together now to invest in the early childhood workforce to make sure there are enough teachers and educators to deliver their big reforms.
“I congratulate Premier Perrottet and Premier Andrews on this commitment that puts Australia’s children right at the heart of economic and social reform.
“Goodstart looks forward to working with both Governments and the Commowealth to make this reform happen,” she said.
Goodstart is a not for profit social enterprise with 665 centres nationally that provide preschool programs for 15,000 children and early learning and care for over 70,000 children.
For more information John Cherry 0477 370 634 or media@goodstart.org.au