SVA welcomes Productivity Commission report toward universal early childhood education and care

SVA strongly supports recommendations to immediately improve children’s access to early learning by abolishing the activity test and improving the inclusion support program.

Social Ventures Australia welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission’s report into Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).

The Productivity Commission’s report outlines a pathway towards a universal and accessible early years support system, that will improve outcomes for children and families.

We know that the best way to change lives is to change what happens in early childhood – and that many children are currently missing out on early learning during their most critical development years. The Productivity Commission has laid out a path for expanding the provision of early learning so that all children can benefit. The government and opposition should commit to these recommendations to demonstrate they support every child’s right to great education right from the start, no matter their circumstances or where they live. ” Suzie Riddell • CEO

SVA strongly supports recommendations to immediately improve children’s access to early learning by abolishing the activity test and improving the inclusion support program. We also welcome the recommendation to move to fairer conditions for the high-performing workforce who are so critical to delivering supports for children.   

We are also pleased that the Commission has acknowledged SVA’s leading work on the value and need for integrated child and family hubs. The Commission recommended new Early Childhood Education and Care centres should be considered as integrated services.  

Hubs make it easier for children and families to access wrap-around health, development and family supports that get them off to the best start. Funding and embedding integrated services within the Early Childhood Education and Care system is a clear solution to the patchwork of services families are struggling to navigate now.

The Commission has also recognised the vital role not-for-profit and community sector providers – including First Nations organisations – play to deliver quality outcomes for children and families. This is backed by recommendations for new funding mechanisms that would strengthen existing programs, and support opportunities to expand services to communities who are missing out.

Finally, we strongly support the recommendation for an independent Early Childhood Education and Care Commission. Early Childhood Education and Care has been a system without a steward to measure or guide toward the standard we should expect for our children. An ECEC Commission presents an incredible opportunity to elevate children’s right to learn and grow and get things right from the start. We urge the Commonwealth Government to take this once in a lifetime opportunity to improve early years supports for children and families. Investing in the early years now will have community and societal benefits long into the future.