ELLA calls funding announcement a win for service providers

Early Learning Association Australia (ELLA) CEO David Worland has termed yesterday’s announcement by Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Bill Shorten a big win for service providers and families.

Mr Worland highlighted important considerations of the funding package, including workforce development, infrastructure capacity, and quality regulation, in his response on behalf of ELLA, who welcomed the announcement. Mr Worland called the announcement good news for early learning providers, parents, children, early childhood workers, and the nation’s prosperity.

“These policy announcements will mean that, after more than eight years of research and debate, early learning service providers and families will finally have some certainly on 15 hours – families will be able to confidently plan for things like both parents returning to work and providers will be able to accurately budget and recruit more than 12 months ahead,” Mr Worland said.

Mr Worland called for state and federal governments to work in bipartisan collaboration to ensure the policy is successfully implemented, should the ALP be elected. Mr Worland was also welcoming of the announcement that a re-elected Victorian Labor Government would commit almost $5 billion over the next decade in support of free or heavily subsidised three year old kindergarten.

Mr Worland praised the ALP for honouring the true intent of the National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education by indicating that two years of early childhood education will be permanently embedded into Australia’s education system.