Work begins on new universal early childhood education system across Australia

Work has begun on a national universal early childhood education system in a social reform hailed as big as Medicare and compulsory superannuation.

Free early learning would be provided to every Australian child under a new strategy being hailed as the biggest social policy initiative since Medicare and compulsory superannuation.

The federal government has started national consultation on the introduction of an universal preschool scheme where children under five years old would receive a minimum amount of 30 subsidised hours at early learning centres each week.

Victoria and NSW already have implemented similar programs while former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard is holding a royal commission in South Australia into the transition of three-year-olds into state government preschools and kindergartens.

More than 100 experts, bureaucrats and educators gathered in Canberra last Friday to discuss the new national scheme, which has been assigned to Early Childhood Minister Anne Aly and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth to oversee.

Dr Aly and Ms Rishworth have begun seeking public input on a discussion paper about developing the country’s first national early years strategy.

The Productivity Commission separately has started a national inquiry into the cost benefits of free early childhood education.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has tasked Early Childhood Minister and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth with overseeing the introduction of an universal early childhood system across Australia. Picture: Gary Ramage and Olivia Castrisson

Respected academic Professor Deborah Brennan has been tasked with delivering a report by June next year.

Ms Aly has urged parents, lobby groups, educators and early childhood experts across the country to contribute to both inquiries.

“A great early childhood education and care system pays a triple dividend – it sets children up for a great start in life, helps working families to get ahead, and builds our economic prosperity by supporting workforce participation,” she said.

“The government is committed to identifying solutions that will chart the course for universal, affordable early childhood education and care – in the great tradition of universal Medicare and universal superannuation.”

The unprecedented push to introduce a national early childhood system is based on mounting evidence that a minimum of two years’ education before a child starts school is critical to their long-term future.

Early childhood educator Anita Courtney with Harrison Kubacki, 3, in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Various international and Australian experts have told Ms Gillard that the first 1000 days of life are the crucial period for the development of the human brain.

The Productivity Commission’s inquiry includes examining the costs of providing universal early childhood education for toddlers – and the potential economic benefits to the nation.

Early childhood education lobby group Thrive by Five executive director Jay Weatherill, a former South Australian Labor premier, said it would “lay the foundations” for an universal early childhood education system.

“The terms of reference lay out, in perhaps the most comprehensive and detailed manner, the kind of bold reforms needed to make our country’s early learning and care system truly affordable and accessible for all Australian families,” he said.

“From addressing the rapidly escalating workforce crises across the sector and tackling the issue of affordability head-on, they provide a clear outline for the scope of reforms necessary.”

Zemmi, 3, and Patrick, 3, at the Playful Possums Playgroup at the Pimpama Uniting Church. Picture: Adam Head

A national organisation which represents 77,000 parents, The Parenthood, said the inquiry was a key component to making quality early childhood education and care universally accessible.

Chief executive Georgie Dent said building a new early years system had the “potential to transform our nation”.

Ms Dent said investment in early childhood education and care was “an investment in building the nation’s social capital”.

“It is social, educational and economic reform that will help ensure all children are set up for success,” she said.

“There is not a person or organisation in Australia that will not benefit from a universal, quality early childhood education and care system.

“It is an investment in the future prosperity of the country and just as important as physical infrastructure”.

Submissions to the Productivity Commission inquiry open on March 1 while public input on the early childhood discussion paper closes on April 30.

Originally published as Work begins on new universal early childhood education system across Australia