Goodstart CEO articulates roadmap to “universal early learning” in must read letter to Minister

Goodstart Early Learning has published a letter penned by its Chief Executive Officer Dr Ros Baxter to Education Minister Jason Clare in response his call for feedback from the early learning community on the recently released Productivity Commission Report into the Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. 

The letter details Goodstart’s position on a range of important policy related themes including what constitutes “ambitious reform”, what a roadmap to universal early learning might look like, what is “universality” and why focusing on just affordability risks any new system not delivering on its educational promise. 

Goodstart, Australia’s largest provider of early learning services, has been a steadfast advocate for all children’s right to access high quality early learning since its inception in 2010 and is considered to be a deeply informed and highly influential voice in the ongoing discussions around early learning policy reform. 

In the wake of the Productivity Commission’s final report release and ahead of what is likely to be an ECEC policy laden election campaign, the release of a detailed articulation of Goodstart’s policy position is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate as to what might be next for Australia’s ECEC sector. 

Defining “ambitious reform”- Its more than just affordability 

Dr Baxter’s letter begins with the question “what is ambitious reform?” in the context of contemporary early learning, especially against the backdrop of increasing numbers of children presenting at Goodstart services with a need for additional support to help them navigate their particular circumstances. 

“We know both from evidence and from data taken from our 700ish centres nationally  that early learning also needs to be able to support you if you need something more. Maybe you have a learning difficulty. Maybe things are not going so well at home. Maybe you have a speech delay,” she wrote. 

“We are seeing all of these things in higher numbers than ever before – approximately 38 per cent of the children attending Goodstart have one of these risk factors, and the proportion that need extra help is increasing, year on year,” she continued.  

“This gradual shift in the nature of what constitutes modern early learning demands reforms that recognise this shift and ensures that any child, anywhere, can access quality early learning, delivered by skilled educators, in the amount that they need it.”

Undoubtedly, Dr Baxter continued, “affordability matters in delivering universal early learning” before adding that “just because something is cheap, does not mean you can get your hands on it” and “just because something is cheap, it doesn’t mean that it’s good.”

A three point road map to “universal early learning”

“The most deeply ambitious reform idea is that we might build a system where all children can access early learning, even if they have higher needs, and that learning delivers the quality experience that will turbocharge their educational and life outcomes. But how?” Dr Baxter rhetorically asks.

First and foremost for Goodstart advocates for the reframing of the purpose of early learning away from simply being a tool to facilitate workforce participation towards one that serves the needs of children, especially those that need that extra boost to equalise any learning shortfalls before they enter school. Central to this step is the removal of the activity test, which Dr Baxter termed “an impediment for poor children” relative to their “already more advantaged peers.” 

Secondly, the provider implores decision makers to ensure that there are enough centres in the right places to meet the needs of all children, regardless of where they live, and for delivery of these services to be guided by informed consultation, and investment, between the three key stakeholders (namely, philanthropists, governments and providers.)

Thirdly, Dr Baxter calls out the importance of having “enough educators with the right skills” to service the sector going forward. This, she notes, will require “long term, structural investments in the wages, professional development and recognition that will keep educators in centres, alongside thinking about how to attract educators and teachers to harder-to-staff places.”

Accessibility, availability and workforce mark the three most urgent, and primary, areas of focus of reform for Goodstart Early Learning, which, should they be executed effectively, will create a foundation of sustainable and truly universal early learning for Australia. 

Understanding universality? Learning from the past to position for the future

For Dr Baxter, the true definition of universality in an ECEC context is at risk of being hijacked by a preoccupation with affordability, which although important, is but one aspect of a healthy system. 

The NDIS, for example, taught us that delivering universality is not just about cost to consumers, she noted before adding, “Free doesn’t help you get a therapist if there is no therapist to be found. Cost and affordability matter, but supply, workforce, and removing outdated ideological barriers matter just as much.” 

“Public schools are (almost) universally available,” she continued, “Yet, we are in a crisis of outcomes (as shown in Australia’s PISA results) that suggests the funding model that delivered free public education to our nation has failed to deliver strong outcomes for many of our children.”

“Australian children and families deserve an early learning system which is truly universal because it is in their community; it is staffed by local professionals who can meet their needs; and it is affordable,” and “even more critically, they deserve and our country needs a system that can actually deliver on its educational promise.”

Dr Baxter closes her letter with a simple, yet powerful request:

“We ask you not to build a plan that only focuses on one element of that vital web. As you deliberate and make investment choices, we ask you to consider how we ensure early learning is not just affordable, but the kind of excellence that can change lives and shape a nation.”

Access to Dr Baxter’s letter in its original format can be found here.