Shorten announcement provides ECEC workforce security: AEU

The Australian Labor Party’s National Preschool and Kindy Program will provide certainty for parents and enable future workforce planning for teachers and other early childhood education and care professionals, the Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe has said.

“Labor’s announcement guaranteeing ongoing funding for two years of preschool for every child via its National Preschool and Kindy Program is warmly welcomed by the teaching profession,” Ms Haythorpe said.

Ms Haythorpe affirmed the benefits of a structured early childhood program in improving cognitive, social and emotional outcomes for all children, citing the importance of a pre school education as being a strong foundation for learning.

The AEU welcomes the stability and commitment represented by the announcement, with Ms Haythorpe stating Labors introduction of the initial universal access funding for four year olds, coupled with today’s announcement, reflects Labor’s value of the first years of a child’s education.