Latest news and information
Find important updates and information on the early childhood sector. To subscribe to our fortnightly e-newsletter click here.
Please scroll down for more information about ECA and our latest media releases.
Click here for ECA’s response to the 2023-24 Federal Budget (9 May 2023).
Click here for ECA’s resource page on flood support.
Click here for ECA’s COVID-19 resource page.
About ECA
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 CEO of Early Childhood Australia. She also serves on the Board of Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA).
Samantha holds a master’s degree in management and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has worked in the non-government sector for 20 years across varied roles encompassing executive management, management consulting, social policy analysis, advocacy and the delivery of human services. She brings extensive experience in the development and implementation of sector-development projects funded by federal and state government agencies. She has overseen workforce development and scholarship programs, training initiatives as well as consultation and evaluation projects that involved working effectively across government and non-government partners to support effective service delivery.
Contact
Please call an ECA Media officer on 0475 554 999, or click here to email. Please note that these contact details are for journalists and media only. To receive ECA’s media releases, please contact our media team via email.
Media releases
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- 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
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- 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 July—Let’s gear up for Early Learning Matters Week!
- 15 July —A good first step: federal government support for NSW families in COVID lockdown
- 2 June—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
- 2 Feb—Latest Productivity Commission data highlights early education and care issues
- 22 Jan—ECA welcomes 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia Report
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- 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
- 9 Nov—Early Childhood Australia welcomes extension of fee relief for NSW community preschools
- 8 Oct—Early Childhood Australia welcomes Labor’s commitment to universal affordable early education and care
- 6 Oct—Federal Budget: Missed opportunity to invest in the early years
- 7 Sep—Early Education investment is the Key to COVID-19 Recovery
- 1 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
- 5 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
- 8 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
- 8 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
- 2 Apr—ECA welcomes early learning and care support package
- 23 Mar—Not good enough: Federal government’s support package for early education and care
- 4 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
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- 12 Dec—Education Council recognises the importance of early learning in improving outcomes
- 4 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
- 4 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 April—Labor pledges on childcare fee relief and educator pay are welcome
- 2 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
- 1 Feb—Good news on preschool enrolment and quality improvement in government services report
- 26 Jan—ECA Congratulates Australia Day Honours recipients 2019
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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