Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland calls on government to expand kindy to three-year-olds

Queensland is lagging behind three states and most OECD countries in its childcare offerings, advocates say, as they call for all parties to commit to a major move that would help parents of three- and four-year-olds.

Australian Childcare Alliance is calling for 15 hours a week of early education for three-year-olds. Picture: iStock

The Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland is calling on major parties to implement three year old kindy as a part of its 2024 election campaign.

ACA Qld President Majella Fitzsimmons said it had more than 950 member services, and the 17,500 parents using them were constantly asking when Queensland was going to extend its free kindy program to catch up to other states.

“We’ve asked for 15 hours a week of early education for three-year-olds and to expand four-year-old kindergarten to 30 hours,” she said.

“Three year old kindy has already been introduced in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and most OECD countries, so Queensland kids need this to happen now.”

Ms Fitzsimmons said children who were able to participate in two years of kindergarten would lift social and academic achievement, providing a “much-needed boost” to the Queensland economy.

“Additionally, early education helps develop a child’s interpersonal skills such as sharing, co-operation, and conflict resolution, which are crucial for their future interactions,” she said.

“Three-year-old kindy also assists with early intervention with vulnerable children. It enables early educators to identify if children are facing learning challenges and also supports school readiness.”

Ms Fitzsimmons said she was aware of the importance for Early Education and care for regional and remote communities.

“When you have early childhood educators, you then open up more spots for more children to receive early education which then allows for people like teachers and nurses, who have kids, to come and work in rural and remote locations,” she said.

“For many families, 15 hours a week for three-year-olds, enables them to seek work or undertake education or training so three-year-old kindy is a no-brainer for lifting women up and growing the Queensland economy.”