ALP has listened to sector needs, now let’s get the model right

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has listened to sector recommendations about the importance of quality, play-based early childhood education, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) has said, also stating that it looks forward to working with an elected Shorten government on ensuring a funding model that supports appropriate delivery of early childhood learning services.

The ACA commended the ALP on its recent announcement to extend access to 15 hours per week of subsidised kindergarten/preschool to three-year-olds for the first time, should the party wins the next federal election.

“It is clear that the Labor Party has listened to our recommendations along with feedback from the broader sector about the importance of quality, play-based early childhood education in giving children the best possible start in life,” ACA CEO Paul Mondo said.

“The ACA has always implored the Australian Government and all political parties to put the concept of universally accessible early childhood education and care (ECEC) for all children at the forefront in any policy development, respecting the parents’ choice of service type, said Mr Mondo.

“Should the Labor Party come into power at the next federal election, the ACA is keen to contribute to ongoing discussions, to ensure effective implementation which results in equitable distribution to all service types, respecting parent choice. We also call on all state governments to recognise that quality early learning can be delivered in a range of service types.

“The ACA will continue to engage with the Labor Party to understand this proposal, with a view to ensuring that this proposed funding model would support the delivery of early learning services in an appropriate play-based environment that fosters experiential learning, and also recognises the significant contribution of long day care in Australia’s early education environment,” Mr Mondo concluded.