Established in 1938, Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is the largest and most authoritative peak body in the early childhood sector. We represent over 2500 members nationwide, from private, community-based and local government service providers, individual educators, schools, universities and other organisations that are passionate about the wellbeing of all Australian children.
ECA prides itself on being a voice for young children. We are willing and able to speak on a broad range of issues related to the delivery of early childhood education and care (ECEC), including:
- quality in early childhood education
- Federal Government policy, and
- affordability and accessibility of ECEC.
Through our vast network, we are also able to provide highly qualified experts on fields including child psychology, social and emotional wellbeing of children, early childhood education and care and much more. ECA is available to all national media outlets including print, radio and television.
Spokesperson profile
Samantha (Sam) Page is the Chief Executive Officer of ECA.
Sam has worked in a variety of positions within the community, public and private sectors, spanning service delivery and service management, policy development, change management and public administration. She has worked closely with community sector leaders, Members of Parliament, senior bureaucrats in Federal Government agencies as well as peak bodies, research institutes and
Contact
Please call ECA’s Media team on 0475 554 999, or click here to email. Please note that these contact details are for journalists and media only.
Media releases
- 22 Oct—After the Apology – ensuring all children are safe everywhere
- 4 Oct—Two years of preschool will benefit children
- 23 Sep—ECA provides new guidance on young children digital technologies
- 23 Sep—ECA Statement on young children and digital technologies to download
- 19 Sep—Ministers join international experts to address ECA National Conference
- 19 Sep—ECA Conference Speaker Bios
- 30 Aug—Sacrificing quality not in best interests of children
- 29 Aug—New early response program for family trauma in early childhood
- 31 July—Two years of preschool a good move for ACT children
- 26 July—ECA and My Health Record information
- 4 July—Child Care Subsidy – ECA calls for two days per week for all children
- 20 June—New South Wales leads the way on access to preschool for three-year-olds
- 15 May—Budget cuts put children and quality of care at risk
- 8 May—Budget 2018 – missed opportunities on quality early learning
- 13 Feb—Closing the Gap on Preschool enrolments is the first step says ECA
- 1 Feb—Reports show Australia needs to strengthen and extend early learning
- 7 Dec—New marriage equality law a good outcome for children
- 28 Nov—Early learning services recognised for excellence in reconciliation
- 21 Nov—New Movement Guidelines for young children welcome
- 6 Nov—Good news on early learning for NSW children and families
- 24 Oct—ECA welcomes new shadow minister for ECD Amanda Rishworth
- 15 Aug—Tasmanian Government acts in best interests of children and families
- 22 Jun—Australia improves but still lags most OECD countries on early learning
- 9 May—No surprises in Budget for early childhood education
- 4 May—Preschool funding welcome but won’t improve outcomes for vulnerable children
- 24 Mar—Childcare reforms leave vulnerable children behind
- 23 Mar—Crossbench must stand firm on Childcare Bill amendments in Senate
- 22 Mar—Changes still needed in Childcare Package now that its split from the Omnibus bill
- 20 Mar—ECA says splitting Omnibus bill is a win-win solution for childcare reform
- 9 Mar—Kate Ellis MP leaves a solid legacy in Early Childhood achievement – ECA
- 16 Feb—ECA calls on all parties to stop playing political games with childcare reform
- 15 Feb—Gains made on Closing the Gap on Preschool enrolments at risk – ECA
- 8 Feb—Key changes still needed in Childcare reform (Omnibus) bill says ECA
- 3 Feb—Childcare affordability crisis shown in Report on Government Services
- 31 Jan—Early Childhood Sector welcomes new NSW Minister Sarah Mitchell
- 8 Dec—Early learning key to improve pisa results
- 31 Oct—Australian children deserve the benefits of two years of quality early learning
- 6 Oct—Global leaders in early childhood at national conference
- 21 Sept—Lets connect more dots on welfare reform – include access to early learning
- 1 Sept—Government Childcare Package could be a winner with vital changes
- 3 Aug—Best way to improve NAPLAN results is quaity early learning
- 28 June—Election 2016: policies offer child care costs relief but children need to be central
- 10 June—More progress needed on early learning to support children’s rights
- 9 June—Election: Greens steer middle course on early childhood policy
- 5 June—Election: Labor’s childcare fee relief promise welcome, but long term reform still needed
- 6 May—Early Learning Everyone Benefits Campaign Launch by Dame Quentin Bryce
- 3 May—Budget delay for families is a chance to get Families Package right
- 20 Apr—ECA welcomes Mitchell Institute report – Quality early education for all
- 31 Mar—Early childhood services can play greater role in family violence education and prevention: response to Victorian Royal Commission on Family Violence report
- 17 Mar—Labor moves in right direction on investing in the early years
- 7 Mar—Australian Early Developmet Census shows more investment needed in early learning
- 6 Mar—No truth in story about sex education for toddlers
- 4 Mar—Changes needed to Child Care Package so more than 130,000 children won’t lose access to early learning
- 24 Feb—Guaranteed access to early learning is the way to ‘close the gap’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- 12 Feb—ACECQA: Quality improving across early childhood sector
- 11 Feb—Close the Gap: Gains made may be lost if childcare package excludes Indigenous children
- 4 Feb—Government needs to ensure Childcare Package boosts attendance of all children: new reports show need for improvement & benefits
- 29 Jan—Childcare package will support more children to access early childhood education and care—Senate Inquiry can improve Bill further
- 27 Jan—Australia Day Honours Recognition for Service to Children
- 16 Dec—Budget savings from childcare should be re-invested in the Childcare Assistance Package
- 11 Dec—Leaders’ commitment to early childhood welcomed
- 2 Dec—New childcare package—many families will need help to navigate the new system
- 1 Dec—New childcare package too early for verdict on the impact on families and children
- 26 Nov—Early action vitally important for lifelong benefits
- 13 Nov—Attend preschool early and reap the benefits
- 9 Nov—Minister Birmingham please deliver a fair Childcare Package
- 21 Oct—Government must commit to fund Childcare Package regardless of Family tax decision
- 17 Sept—Delivering for children a priority for ‘new’ Government
- 14 May—Restricting access to Paid Parental Leave will leave children worse off
- 12 May—Budget’s Families Package delivers investment in Australia’s future prosperity
- 10 May—Working families to benefit from historic reform of the early childhood
- 8 May—Federal Government recognises support for those who need it most
- 4 May—Extension of preschool funding acknowledges the importance of early learning
- 28 Apr—Quality is critical for flexible care
- 31 Mar—National Children’s Commissioner launches significant children’s rights resource
- 25 Feb—ECA supports bipartisan approach to early childhood reform
- 20 Feb—Australia needs a vision for early learning
- 2 Feb—Calls for equal focus on workforce participation and all children’s outcomes
To receive ECA’s media releases, please contact our media team via email.
