High-quality early learning linked to better lifelong health outcomes

New evidence from the Medical Journal of Australia identifies the critical role early childhood education and care plays in lifelong health outcomes, spotlighting both sector strengths and systemic risks.

High-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is emerging as one of the most powerful tools for improving long-term physical and mental health, according to leading Australian paediatric and public health researchers.

In a newly published perspective in the Medical Journal of Australia, authors Melissa Wake, Jon Quach and Jacqueline Davis argue that “the foundations of lifelong health are laid by school entry,” and that high-quality early learning environments offer protective benefits comparable to other major public health interventions.

Their article highlights strong international evidence linking ECEC participation to better cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural outcomes, reduced risks of obesity and chronic disease, and long-term improvements in mental health and equity.

For early learning providers, the research adds compelling weight to ongoing advocacy for expanded access, adequate funding, and system-wide quality improvements, particularly as Australia moves towards a more universal childcare system.

The article also notes recent changes to federal legislation introduced in July 2025, giving the Commonwealth power to suspend or cancel Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approvals where services consistently fail to meet national standards. According to the MJA, around 30 services are currently at risk of losing approval.

Alongside these enforcement powers, a federal review is underway examining the pricing and delivery of ECEC, signalling a shift in government focus toward quality, accessibility and affordability.

These developments are especially relevant to ECEC leaders navigating the National Quality Framework (NQF), balancing regulatory compliance with workforce shortages and increasing public scrutiny.

The authors also call on the health care sector to play a more active role in ECEC policy and practice. “Health professionals regularly see the effects when children lack optimal early environments, but have few tools to reverse them,” the authors note.

They argue that missed early learning opportunities, particularly for children living with chronic illness, can deepen lifelong disadvantage. As such, collaboration between educators, health professionals and policymakers is essential to delivering more consistent, effective early childhood services across all communities.

As governments invest billions to expand early learning access, the article highlights the need for stronger evidence about which ECEC interventions work best, for whom, and under what conditions. This includes understanding variation in governance, delivery, and workforce capability across the system.

For centre managers, approved providers and early childhood educators, the message is clear: ECEC is not just about school readiness, it’s a cornerstone of public health. 

Embedding this understanding into practice and advocacy will be key to shaping the future of early childhood education in Australia.