ACA gives Government funding of ACECQA a round of applause

The national arm of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) issued a statement late yesterday, applauding the announcement that the Australian Government will continue to fund the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) from 1 July 2020. 

A continuation of funding, especially given the long-term commitment made by Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan, “will provide ACECQA with the resources urgently required to continue its role in promoting national consistency in the delivery of high-quality early learning services across long day care, family day care, kindergarten/preschool and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services Australia-wide,” ACA President Paul Mondo said. 

Prior to yesterday’s announcement, a cloud hung over the future of the independent national authority, with the current funding block set to expire in June 2020. Secure funding, ACA said “is great news for the early learning sector”. 

ACA, along with stakeholders has conducted advocacy efforts in relation to ongoing funding, in order to secure the maintenance of national oversight of the National Quality Framework, Mr Mondo explained.

Speaking to the variances across states and territories, in terms of different regulatory environments, Mr Mondo said it was “vitally important” for ACECQA to play a part in “striving for a more equitable and nationally consistent application of both the Regulations and the assessment and rating process”.

ACA was grateful, Mr Mondo said, that the Australian Government “has recognised the importance of giving ACECQA the resources it needs to continue its important role, which in turn ensures that Australian families have access to consistently high-quality early learning services, Australia wide.” 

For more information about the funding announcement, please see here.