Submission into ECEC system in rural, regional and remote communities

The submission draws on SVA’s experience in improving outcomes for children and families, emphasising the need for stable funding, investment in capability, and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Our Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the state of Australia’s early childhood education and care system in rural, regional and remote communities is informed by our work through Nurture Together on Early Childhood Hubs.

Children’s early years lay the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. While more than 1.4 million children participate in government-funded early childhood education and care each year (ECEC), evidence continues to show that our ECEC and other early childhood systems are not working for many children and families across Australia, especially those living in rural, regional and remote communities. When rural children cannot access timely, high-quality and consistent early childhood services, the consequences extend well beyond an individual. They affect family wellbeing and economic security, and the short and longer-term social and economic resilience of rural communities.

Addressing these challenges will require a more coordinated, place-based approach that recognises the unique characteristics of rural, regional and remote communities and prioritises equitable outcomes for children and families regardless of where they live.

In this submission, we recommend that the Senate Education and Employment Committee consider that the following actions be taken by the Australian Government, in partnership with the state and territory governments where appropriate:

• deliver ECEC in every community that is responsive to the needs of the community, including integration with other services where needed
• establish a national Early Education and Care Commission that can set direction, align incentives and monitor the ECEC system
• better fund services so that the additional costs of delivery in rural, regional and remote areas is included
• plan rural early childhood services as one connected system together with community
• invest in the conditions of integration to sustain Early Childhood Hubs and other integrated service models
• support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as preferred providers for ECEC services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
• implement a dedicated funding model for ACCO early years services to enable them to continue providing the holistic, culturally responsive services that allow children to thrive
• improve data gathering, sharing and linking to identify needs, gaps and outcomes.