Early childhood – the period from birth to age five – is the most critical period of growth and learning in a person's life. What happens – and what does not happen – during these years influences the rest of childhood, adolescence and adult life. When children receive good quality care and learning opportunities, they have a better chance to grow up healthy, to do well in school, and to reach their full potential in well-being and productivity.
–State of the world's mothers report, Save the Children
Early childhood development report card
Australia is falling behind most of the developed world when it comes to early childhood development, according to the 10th annual State of the world's mothers report released by Save the Children.
In the report, the Save the Children Fund found that among developed nations Australia was ahead of only Canada and Ireland in an early childhood development report card.
Of 10 benchmarks set by Save the Children, Australia met only two, putting it among the lowest ranked countries.
The two benchmarks Australia met were:
- to provide subsidised and regulated childcare services for a quarter of children aged under three
- 50 per cent of early education staff have relevant tertiary qualifications.
Benchmarks that Australia failed included:
- the provision of a years parental leave at half-pay
- having priority plans for disabled children
- subsidising early education services
- spending one per cent of GDP on childhood services.
The report also found that only two-thirds of Australia's four-year-olds are enrolled in pre-school, and only 0.4 per cent of GDP has been spent on childcare and preschool education. Top ranking countries all spend at least one per cent.
Mothers index
As part of the report, Save the Children also released the ‘Mothers Index' which compares the wellbeing of mothers and children in 158 countries – 43 developed and 115 developing. It shows where mothers are well supported, and where they face the greatest hardships.
Australia ranks third on the current index, with Sweden and Norway performing the best. The United States placed 27th, for the second time, while Niger is ranked lowest.
Most industrialised countries are closely grouped at the top of the index, with the majority of these countries performing well on all indicators. The highest ranking countries have very high scores for mother's and children's health, and educational and economic status.
The data collected for the Mothers Index documents the tremendous gaps between rich and poor countries and the urgent need to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and their children.
Conclusion
Save the Children has developed several recommendations to help ensure more children are offered every opportunity for succeeding in school and life:
- Invest in better health care for mothers and young children.
- Provide coaching and information to help new mothers and fathers give their young children the best possible chance to succeed.
- Improve training and support for early child care providers and preschool teachers.
- Expand early learning opportunities for children affected by AIDS, conflicts and natural disasters.
- Increase government support for proven early childhood development solutions in the United States and around the world.
Further information
Download the Executive summary of the State of the World's Mothers report (PDF)
Download the full State of the World's Mothers report (PDF)
Visit the Save the Children website.
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