Strengthening Early Childhood Education: Insights and reflections

With over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, I have witnessed firsthand the joys and challenges faced by families and educators across Australia. My journey has taken me through diverse settings, from bustling metropolitan centres to quiet regional communities, and from for-profit organisations to passionate not-for-profits. For eight years, I had the privilege of teaching at TAFE, preparing future educators to make a difference.

Since settling on the South Coast 21 years ago, I have coordinated multiple local government services, gaining a deep understanding of the unique challenges regional families face. Isolation, limited access to specialist medical care, and fewer opportunities for social connection are daily realities. These experiences have shaped my belief in the importance of policies that truly address the needs of regional communities.

In Eurobodalla, I have seen inspiring responses to these challenges. Supported playgroups now stretch across 100 kilometres of the shire, creating vital networks for families. Programs supporting mothers with newborns, guiding families through diagnostic pathways, and strong partnerships with emergency services have helped build a resilient community. Transition-to-school evenings stand out as moments where collaboration between educators, families, and schools eases anxieties and fosters better educational outcomes.

Family Day Care holds a special place in my heart as a unique model of early childhood education:

• It offers flexible, personalised care tailored to each family’s needs.
• Small group settings nurture child development in meaningful ways.
• Educators enjoy professional autonomy while staying deeply connected to their communities.

Despite these benefits, Family Day Care often goes unrecognised in policy and funding frameworks. In Eurobodalla, shortages of educators and childcare places highlight the urgent need to support Family Day Care as a rewarding career path for skilled professionals seeking autonomy and purpose.

The South Coast has faced its share of hardships, from the devastating Black Summer bushfires, to the loss of a centre to fire, and the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns. These events tested our sector’s resilience but also revealed the incredible strength of community-based services and the dedication of educators. It is clear to me that policies must reflect these realities, ensuring regional services are well-resourced to withstand future crises.

One of my strongest convictions is the need for a fairer sector. I believe every service type deserves equal access to teacher accreditation and pay equity for their Early Childhood Teachers. All service types should have an early childhood teacher, to support and lead the development and implementation of educational programs and quality in the service. Family Day Care, historically undervalued, deserves recognition as an equal or even superior option for highly qualified educators. Whether holding a Certificate III, Diploma, or Degree, Family Day Care educators should have access to professional pathways that acknowledge their expertise and contributions.

Recent reforms in New South Wales have reshaped the policy landscape for early childhood education. The Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Amendment Act 2025 introduced significant changes to strengthen child safety across the sector, including:

• Expanded child safety obligations requiring clearer accountability for staff and management.
• Transparency measures mandating providers to publish compliance histories, giving families greater insight into service quality.
• Increased penalties for breaches, emphasizing the importance of compliance.
• Accelerated reforms with NSW moving ahead of national timelines in response to an independent review identifying regulatory gaps.

To translate legislation into practice, the NSW government established a dedicated commission focused on child safety in early childhood education and care. This commission is responsible for:

• Monitoring compliance across all service types, including Family Day Care.
• Investigating breaches with enhanced powers for swift action.
• Providing guidance and resources to help services meet child safety standards.
• Restoring public trust through transparent and accountable governance.

For regions like the South Coast, where families face isolation and limited service access, these reforms are especially important. The new commission offers a stronger safety net for vulnerable children, while transparency requirements empower parents to make informed choices. Crucially, Family Day Care, often overlooked in policy, will now be held to the same child safety standards as larger providers, reinforcing its role as a trusted option.

Early childhood education is fundamental to community wellbeing and child development. Family Day Care exemplifies how small, community-rooted services empower educators, enrich children’s lives, and support families. I encourage policymakers to bolster support for this model, ensuring it is recognised as a respected and rewarding career path rather than a fallback option.

While challenges persist, my commitment to early childhood education remains strong. With equitable policies, our sector can continue to evolve, adapt, and deliver lasting benefits for children, families, and communities.

About Louise Hatton 

Louise Hatton has worked in the early childhood sector for more than forty years across diverse service types, including regional and metropolitan centres, for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, and as a TAFE lecturer. For the past two decades, Louise has led services in Eurobodalla, supporting families through playgroups, transition to school programs, OOSH and Family Day Care. Her work continues to advocate for equity across the sector and recognition of Family Day Care as a vital, professional option for educators.