6 June 2014
ECMS has been advocating strongly for the Federal Government to commit to ongoing funding of the National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access, to enable us to continue to deliver 15 hours per week of early education for children in the year before school.
The last few weeks, this continuation of funding has been uncertain. Prior to the Federal budget announcement, neither State nor Federal Governments committed to the ongoing funding of 15 hours of preschool.
We will continue to urge Federal and State Governments to make an ongoing commitment. It makes sense for governments to build upon the gains we have made over the past three years and extend universal access further in the future.
Over the past two years over 6000 children and their parents have enjoyed access to 15 hours per week of kindergarten across the ECMS network of services.
Surveyed ECMS families view the opportunity to access extended hours of kindergarten as an attractive and affordable option for their child’s early learning and care. It provides and affordable choice and enables us confidently make decisions about work and other family priorities.
Kindergarten provides a meaningful care option for families whilst providing quality early learning. Abolishing Federal funding would place early learning out of the reach of many parents and force them to reconsider their participation in work. Scaling back programs to the State funded 10 hours will mean that those working families currently benefitting from Universal Access will have to find other arrangements for 170 hours per year. Alternatively parents may be forced to accept fewer hours of learning and care potentially comprising their child’s school-readiness and learning outcomes.
The benefits for children and parents provide a convincing case for Government to make an immediate and ongoing commitment to funding. We don't want your children missing out and we don't want the future of Australian children comprised.
What can parents do? We urge you to support campaigns, have an active voice in advocacy opportunities provided by ECMS, and our sector partners, and to write to your local MPs on this issue. Current campaigns include:
Early Learning Association Australia