SVA’s response to latest ECEC announcements

SVA welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcements this week to guarantee early childhood education and care for all children, and to build new high-quality centres in areas that need them.

SVA welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcements this week to guarantee early childhood education and care for all children, and to build new high-quality centres in areas that need them.

The Prime Minister’s commitments on early education are vital to give all children the best start in life.  We know that many families are missing out on good quality early education – particularly those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage – and we welcome these life-changing announcements.” Suzie Riddell • CEO SVA

The commitments include guaranteeing 3 days a week of early childhood education and care to all children before they start school – an important recognition that early education is an essential service so every child can thrive.

SVA commends the Government for removing the Activity Test to access the ‘Three-day Guarantee’. The activity test unfairly restricts families accessing the Childcare Subsidy. Children shouldn’t be penalised for their parents’ activities and deserve every opportunity to learn and grow with their peers. These changes are needed now, and SVA calls on the Government to begin action on removing the Activity Test entirely – not just for three days – as soon as possible. 

SVA also welcomes the Government’s commitment to building new centres in areas of need. We commend the Government for recognising that integrating centres with other services is a great opportunity to ensure children and families get the critical early supports they need. The new ‘Building Early Education Fund’ will give kids more than a place in childcare – with a focus on connecting then with health checks and creating seamless transitions to primary school.

If we are building infrastructure in these communities, let’s make sure we build the integrated early learning models that we know support positive outcomes for these children. SVA urges the Government to make sure the 160 new early childhood education and care centres are delivered as Early Childhood Hubs – where children and families have a place to build social networks and can access health, allied health and family supports around an early learning front door.” Emma Sydenham • Director of Early Childhood SVA

SVA encourages the government to adopt the Productivity Commission’s recommendation that all new early childhood education and care should be considered as integrated centres to make the most of these investments for children who stand to benefit the most.

SVA also welcomes the Government’s commitment to supporting growth of high-quality not-for-profit providers. Analysis from the ACCC cited by the Productivity Commission demonstrates that, on average, not-for-profit providers deliver higher quality ratings and lower fees, spend a higher proportion of revenue on wages, and retain educators and teachers for longer.

We know that many families are missing out on good quality early education, particularly those experiencing significant socioeconomic disadvantage.  Relying on markets to fill service gaps isn’t working – there aren’t enough early learning places where children live, and many struggle to overcome barriers to access centres that do exist. Providing more support for not-for-profits that deliver high-quality services is an important step to ensure every child can access the early education they need to thrive.” Joel Palte • Director of Policy and Advocacy SVA

While the Government’s guarantee of 3 days a week of early education should be applauded, more work is needed to ensure every child can access early education. To ensure the guarantee is realised, the Government should also adopt the Productivity Commission recommendation to establish an inclusion fund so children with the greatest need can access early learning. The Government should also provide specific support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, to realise the guarantee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

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