ACA Applauds Four Year Extension of Preschool Funding
and Further Investment in Early Learning Workforce
Australia's peak body for early learning (child care) services commends the Federal Government's commitment to support Australian families and children with measures recently announced in the Federal Budget.
On top of the previously announced $1.7 million of additional funding for the Child Care Subsidy, the Federal Government has committed a further $2 billion to extend preschool funding over the next four years.
"The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) has long advocated for a long-term commitment to preschool funding beyond year-to-year agreements, to support preschool (kindergarten) programs delivered in all settings, including long day care," ACA President Paul Mondo said.
"This latest announcement provides long-awaited certainty for Australian families and the many service providers that deliver a preschool program."
"The economic analysis indicates that for every dollar invested in early learning in the year before school, Australia receives $2 back over a child's life[1], with children, families, businesses and government all benefiting from investments in quality early learning." Mr Mondo explained.
"The extension of the Universal Access funding is a positive outcome that will allow Australia's youngest children to reap the rewards of attending quality preschool programs for years to come."
In addition to the funding allocated to the Child Care Subsidy and preschool funding, the Federal Government has made a commitment to extend the JobTrainer program, allowing a further 450,000 funded training places for jobseekers, particularly young people.
"With the critical workforce shortage in the early learning sector, it is vitally important that measures are put in place to build on the existing supply of qualified educators. We believe the commitment to increasing available training places is a powerful start to addressing the problem."
"We look forward to working with the Federal Government to support the implementation of these changes, whilst identifying further ways to invest in the early years, in the context of ensuring that every child in Australia has the best start in life." Mr Mondo concluded.
