Australia will for the first time have a dedicated strategy for children aged up to five years, in a step towards achieving universal access to early childhood education and care. Source: The Australian.
Promised at the 2022 election, the early years strategy comes after the national early years summit last year and aims to stop government programs applicable to the 1.8 million children aged under five from being siloed.
Similarly to the national plan to reduce violence against women and children, the Government will release a series of “action plans” under the early years strategy, with the first to be unveiled later this year.
“Parents and caregivers don’t see their children through one policy or departmental lens, and neither should the Government,” Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said.
“In the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed in our brains each second – a pace never repeated again. Through the strategy, we have the opportunity to create an integrated approach to these critical early years, and increase accountability to the wellbeing, education and development of Australia’s children.”
Advocates have long been calling for the Government to better focus on the needs of young people, with National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds calling for a minister to oversee a dedicated children’s portfolio.
Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly said the early years strategy was a step towards ensuring all children thrived into adulthood.
“If we get these vital early years right, we can change the trajectory of a child’s life, setting them up to thrive throughout life, regardless of their background or postcode,” Dr Aly said.
The Government will set up a new parents and carers reference group to help implement the strategy, which will consist of 20 members who will hear directly from children and their families on matters that affect them.
FULL STORY
National first: dedicated early education plan to help under-5s (By Sarah Ison, The Australian)
