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Providing access to quality early childhood experiences is the key to giving Australian children the best possible start in life.
As the Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, I understand the early years are critically important for children.
Children do some of their most important learning in the first five years of life. In fact, we know that by the age of five a child has developed most of their intellect, personality and skills.
We believe that providing all children, no matter where they live, with access to quality, affordable early childhood learning and care is one of the best ways of nurturing confident, happy and resilient children.
So the Australian Government is working with parents, the early childhood sector and early childhood experts to create a world-class system of integrated early childhood learning and care.
By 2013, all children in the year before formal schooling will have access to a quality, affordable, play-based early childhood education program for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks per year. These programs will be delivered by degree qualified early childhood teachers in public, private and community-based preschools and child care settings.
As a first step towards achieving this, we have already invested $10 million in innovative projects to support the Universal Access Initiative in all states and territories. The outcomes of these projects will help to achieve higher participation rates in early childhood education programs, particularly for Indigenous and disadvantaged children.
We know too, that a well qualified and respected early childhood workforce is necessary if we are to achieve our ambitious early childhood reform agenda. So, we're helping improve the skills and qualifications of the early childhood workforce.
From 2009 we are removing TAFE fees for child care diplomas and advanced diplomas, and increasing the number of university places for early childhood teachers. But these improvements and initiatives won't help some children if families can't afford to access them.
So to assist families, we have increased the Child Care Tax Rebate from 30 to 50 per cent of out of pocket costs, up to $7500 per child per year (not means tested), and payments can now be made quarterly instead of annually if families choose.
And so that parents can find information more easily, we've launched a new website, www.mychild.gov.au, that provides information about early learning and care initiatives for Australian families.
One of the features of mychild.gov.au is a searchable database of approved child care services across Australia. The website also provides information on different types of child care and how to get financial assistance with the cost of care. There are links to other useful sites on children's health, development and wellbeing, and parenting and family support services.
These are just some of the initiatives we've been pursuing this year to improve the quality and affordability of early learning and care.
The Rudd Government is investing in our children's early years because we believe that every Australian child deserves every opportunity to realise their potential.
Maxine McKew
Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care
Every Child magazine – vol. 15 no. 1, 2009, p. 3
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