New research aims to highlight the barriers and facilitators to participation in ECEC

New research from Australian and International researchers has aimed to highlight the barriers and facilitators to participation in early childhood education and care (ECEC) finding that the availability of longer days drew families to ECEC while cost was noted as a detractor. 

 

The work of researchers from the Centre for Community Child Health, the University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics, Social Ventures Australia, and Bain & Company, the research notes a multitude of factors which should be considered when it comes to both structuring sessions and deciding how and when to promote and engage families in early childhood education.

 

To reach their findings the researchers interviewed and surveyed families and service providers on barriers and facilitators to attendance. Families who attended for less than 15 hours per week listed cost and the view that mothers were responsible for educating children as the highest barriers.

 

Service providers believed that a lack of understanding about the benefits of ECEC was a barrier, along with an inability to access and cost.

 

When it came to facilitators, families noted that when children were fed, when they had an understanding of the training and qualifications of the staff caring for their child, and when they knew the benefits of attending ECEC, they were more likely to participate. Longer day sessions were also viewed favourably by families. 

 

The research aligns with emerging international research that reports that longer day sessions promote more regular attendance for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

ECEC services may wish to think about the implication of this research when planning their sessions to enable greater inclusivity.

 

To access the research please see here.