Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s criticism today of the early childhood reforms is unwarranted and ignores the progress being made already towards better quality and affordable childcare, according to peak children’s body Early Childhood Australia.

ECA today urged the Coalition to offer bipartisan support to improving the quality of early childhood education and care for the sake of the 1.5 million Australian children in these services.

'It’s disappointing to see comments like this from someone who should know how important quality early childhood education and care is for children, their families and the nation,' said ECA chief executive Pam Cahir.

'These reforms are all about gradual improvements over the next ten years. And with many states already ahead of schedule, there’s clear evidence that the reforms are what the sector wants and families need.'

Ms Cahir said the Government had acknowledged the need to help keep costs down by increasing the childcare rebate and giving parents the option to be paid fortnightly. The rebate can also now be paid straight to the childcare service.

'But ensuring early childhood education and care is affordable is about more than giving parents fee support. There also needs to be a focus on the workforce itself and support for experienced staff to gain qualifications and stay in the sector.'

'There is a range of ways this might be done. Today economist Bruce Chapman suggested that one approach might be to forgive the HECS debt for each year a qualified early childhood graduate works in a long day education and care centre.'

'We need to find ways such as this that will work in conjunction with improved wages and conditions to attract and retain more qualified staff.'

'That way we will have a long-term viable and robust sector able to provide affordable, high quality education and care to our children,' Ms Cahir said.

For more information contact:
Pam Cahir, 0407 008 524
Claire Johnston, 0434 489 533