Media Archive

Media statements and releases

2024

18 Sep	ECA Welcomes a Proposed Entitlement Approach to Early Childhood Education
27 Aug	ECA congratulates the newly elected CLP Government in the Nothern Territory
15 Aug	Celebrating the Impact of Learning through Play: 2024 Early Learning Matters Week Wrap-Up Event at Parliament House
08 Aug	ECA Welcomes Pay Increase for the Early Childhood Workforce
31 Jul	Success of ECA’s Pre-Election Forum on Early Childhood Education and Care in the NT
12 Jun	Early Childhood Australia Welcomes the Investment of the Queensland Government in Children, Families and Their Communities
11 Jun	ECA celebrates the International Day of Play: The right of every child by hosting a webinar with the LEGO Group and Play Australia
05 Jun	ECA welcomes the South Australian Government’s announcement of $715 million to support the delivery of three-year-old preschool
29 May	Joint Statement for Government Action: Improve Regional, Rural & Remote Early Learning and Care 14 May – ECA Response to the 2024-25 Federal Budget
14 May	ECA Response to the 2024-25 Federal Budget
09 May	ECA Welcome the Early Years Strategy to improve outcomes for every child
21 Feb	ECA Welcomes Expansion of NSW Preschools
19 Feb	ECA Celebrates SA Government’s Commitment To Implementing All Royal Commission Recommendations

2023

24 Nov	Productivity Commission’s draft recommendations present a rare opportunity to re-conceptualise Australia’s early childhood system
03 Oct	ACCC Inquiry Emphasises the Vital Role of Early Childhood Education and Care
28 Aug	South Australian Royal Commission Charts a new course for universal Early Childhood Education
02 Aug	Signing off Early Learning Matters Week with celebrations concluding at Parliament House with special guest Emma Watkins
01 Aug	Regarding report that a former educator has been charged with offences against children
24 Jul	Early Learning Matters Week: Gearing up for a week of celebrating learning through connection
14 Jul	“Setting the Record Straight on misguided claims about Early Childhood Education & Care” in response to AFR article
09 May	ECA Response to 2023-24 Federal Budget
03 May	Welcome investment in sector sustainability and skills
17 Apr	South Australian Royal Commission into ECEC interim report released
16 Feb	Shaping an ambitious vision for young children
07 Feb	Vulnerable children are missing out on early education

2022

25 Oct	This year’s Budget is a positive step towards a longer-term vision for early childhood education and care reform
19 Oct	ECA welcomes SA’s Royal Commission into early childhood education and care, led by Hon Julia Gillard AC
17 Oct	ECA welcomes Australian government’s commitment to increase cap on Paid Parental Leave
14 Oct	Minister Aly kicks off Early Learning Matters Week: Gear up for a week of celebrating learning through play
08 Oct	2022 ECA National Conference concludes with Hon Dr Anne Aly and Hon Julia Gillard AC in attendance
06 Oct	More than 2,200 ECEC professionals attend 2022 ECA National Conference
26 Sep	ECA welcomes government’s focus on early childhood education and care for Indigenous children
19 Sep	UWU and ECA announce joint crisis summit for early education
16 Sep	ECA CEO represented the early childhood education and care sector at the Senate Select Committee hearing
07 Sep	The sector needs immediate support to stabilise so we can avoid further days of action
06 Sep	ECA welcomes ACECQA’s new workforce implementation plan
02 Sep	Strong consensus at Jobs and Skills Summit to invest in early childhood education and care
31 Aug	Workforce under significant pressure, but committed to delivering positive outcomes for children: ECA releases key positions for the Jobs and Skills Summit
02 Aug	ECA supports the education and care workforce action plan
05 Jul	ECA welcomes move to automate support for families and services during emergencies
16 Jun	NSW and VIC announce landmark preschool reforms
15 Jun	ECA welcomes the NSW government’s commitment to significant preschool reforms this budget
14 Jun	ECA welcomes NSW government initiative to improve access to early childhood education and care
22 May	ECA welcomes the new Labor government’s commitment to a fairer early childhood education system
04 May	ECA welcomes early years investment in the Victorian State Budget 2022/23
28 Apr	Announcing the Early Learning Matters Federal Election 2022 Candidates Forum
29 Mar	A vision for children—missing again from the Federal Budget 2022
15 Feb	Australian schools get $1 million environmental boost thanks to Woolworths
03 Feb	Greater support needed for the early childhood sector: Modest increases will deliver only modest progress

2021

06 Sep	Young Citizens: the right to play, learn and be heard
01 Sep	Early years workforce must be longterm priority: Early Educators’ Day
23 Aug	ECA welcomes targeted assistance for early childhood education and care services
04 Aug	ECA welcomes Closing the Gap investment in early education
25 Jul	Let’s gear up for Early Learning Matters Week!
15 Jul	A good first step: federal government support for NSW families in COVID lockdown
02 Jun	Early learning advocates come together to help design national standards for early childhood services in Australia
13 May	ECA Welcomes Labor’s Commitment to Affordable Early Education for All
11 May	Federal Budget: A step in the right direction for early education
2 May	Early Childhood Australia welcomes further investment in early education
23 Apr	Investment in the early years should be a Federal Budget priority
02 Feb	Latest Productivity Commission data highlights early education and care issues
22 Jan	ECA welcomes 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia Report

2020

17 Nov	Vital support for educators and young children: ECA welcomes Be You extension
17 Nov	Improving early learning in remote Australia
10 Nov	Early Childhood Australia welcomes Victorian Government support for kinder and long day care
09 Nov	Early Childhood Australia welcomes extension of fee relief for NSW community preschools
08 Oct	Early Childhood Australia welcomes Labor’s commitment to universal affordable early education and care
06 Oct	Federal Budget: Missed opportunity to invest in the early years
07 Sep	Early Education investment is the Key to COVID-19 Recovery
01 Sep	Early Childhood Australia proud to partner with Thrive By Five campaign
25 Aug	Federal Budget must make early learning affordable
19 Aug	Early Childhood Australia welcomes extended fee relief for NSW community preschools
18 Aug	Children’s mental health and wellbeing is an essential investment
05 Aug	No Certainty for Parents and Educators in Federal Government Childcare Measures
31 Jul	Early Childhood Australia welcomes new National Agreement on Closing the Gap
30 Jul	The importance of early learning in a tough year. Early Learning Matters Week: 3-7 August 2020
08 Jul	Ongoing support needed for young children, early learning and care services and families
15 Jun	National evidence institute can help ensure a great start to every child’s education
08 Jun	Government disappoints with complex new ‘transition package’ for early childhood sector
21 May	Some relief in sight for early learning services, as minister changes ECEC package
02 Apr	ECA welcomes early learning and care support package
23 Mar	Not good enough: Federal government’s support package for early education and care
04 Feb	Children still missing out on early learning—latest Productivity Commission data
17 Jan	Child Care Subsidy activity test debt exemption for bushfire-affected families

2019

12 Dec	Education Council recognises the importance of early learning in improving outcomes
04 Dec	Preschool programs hold the key to lifting student performance
25 Nov	Latest State of Early Learning report a ‘wake-up call’ for Australia to get serious about early learning
31 Oct	Productivity Commission highlights urgent need for early mental health support
04 Oct	ECA WA Play Strategy campaign reaches 10 000 supporters
25 Sep	A focus on early learning in Tasmania
25 Sep	Shaping the future for the digital child
19 Sep	Prime Minister must put the safety of children first in review of the family law system
20 May	ECA urges action on child poverty and educational disadvantage
28 Apr	Labor pledges on childcare fee relief and educator pay are welcome
02 Apr	Budget 2019 fails to deliver for children or early education
22 Mar	More action needed to address early childhood disadvantage
12 Feb	Call to make early learning a priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
01 Feb	Good news on preschool enrolment and quality improvement in government services report
26 Jan	ECA Congratulates Australia Day Honours recipients 2019

2018

22 Oct	After the Apology – ensuring all children are safe everywhere
04 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
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
04 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
08 May	Budget 2018 – missed opportunities on quality early learning
13 Feb	Closing the Gap on Preschool enrolments is the first step says ECA
01 Feb	Reports show Australia needs to strengthen and extend early learning

2017

07 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
06 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
09 May	No surprises in Budget for early childhood education
04 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
09 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
08 Feb	Key changes still needed in Childcare reform (Omnibus) bill says ECA
03 Feb	Childcare affordability crisis shown in Report on Government Services
31 Jan	Early Childhood Sector welcomes new NSW Minister Sarah Mitchell

2016

08 Dec	Early learning key to improve pisa results
31 Oct	Australian children deserve the benefits of two years of quality early learning
06 Oct	Global leaders in early childhood at national conference
21 Sep	Lets connect more dots on welfare reform – include access to early learning
01 Sep	Government Childcare Package could be a winner with vital changes
03 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
09 June	Election: Greens steer middle course on early childhood policy
05 June	Election: Labor’s childcare fee relief promise welcome, but long term reform still needed
03 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
07 Mar	Australian Early Developmet Census shows more investment needed in early learning
06 Mar	No truth in story about sex education for toddlers
04 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
04 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

2015

16 Dec	Budget savings from childcare should be re-invested in the Childcare Assistance Package
11 Dec	Leaders’ commitment to early childhood welcomed
02 Dec	New childcare package—many families will need help to navigate the new system
01 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
09 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
08 May	Federal Government recognises support for those who need it most
04 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
02 Feb	Calls for equal focus on workforce participation and all children’s outcomes