ACECQA campaign helps families make informed early learning choices

A new national campaign from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is encouraging families to look beyond a service’s location and availability when choosing early childhood education and care.

The campaign directs families to StartingBlocks.gov.au, a free government website where they can find services, compare information and learn how quality and safety are assessed. ACECQA says the campaign aims to build understanding of the national regulatory system and the safeguards that support children’s learning, safety and wellbeing. It will run across digital, social, video and community channels. ACECQA’s campaign information sets out how services can participate.

Choosing a service involves more than finding an available place. Families may want to know how educators will support their child, what the service’s quality rating means and what questions to ask during a visit.

Starting Blocks brings several of those answers together. Its Find Child Care tool allows families to search for local services, compare quality ratings, fees and other service information, and save options to a shortlist. The website also offers guidance on choosing a service and a Child Care Subsidy calculator.

Services are assessed against the seven areas of the National Quality Standard, which cover matters including children’s health and safety, educational practice, staffing and relationships with families. Starting Blocks explains the ratings and encourages families to use them alongside visits and conversations with services.

The website also provides child safety and compliance information. This helps families understand the role of regulators and the information they may see on a service listing, including certain enforcement actions.

For providers and educators, the campaign offers a useful resource to share when families make enquiries or begin enrolment. A link to Starting Blocks can help families prepare questions about a service’s program, safety practices and approach to their child’s individual needs.

ACECQA has also released a communications toolkit containing newsletter and social media material for services and sector organisations that wish to share the campaign.

The value of the campaign lies in giving families a clearer starting point. Accessible information about quality and safeguards can support more informed conversations with services and help families choose care that meets their child’s needs.