Trust begins in the early years: what young Australians’ family plans mean for the ECEC sector

As Australia’s fertility rate reaches record lows, new research suggests decisions about having children are influenced by more than cost-of-living pressures. Trust in the systems that support families,  including early childhood education and care, plays an important role in how young Australians view their future.

Australia’s declining fertility rate has sparked ongoing discussion about housing affordability, financial pressures and the rising costs associated with raising children.

However, research highlighted by SBS News suggests another important factor is shaping how young Australians think about starting a family: their level of trust in society and the institutions designed to support them.

The findings, drawn from research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), suggest young people’s confidence in the systems around them, including healthcare, education, social supports and community services,  influences how they imagine their future family life.

For the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, the findings reinforce an important message: early learning services are not only places where children learn and develop, they are part of the broader support network that helps families feel connected, supported and confident.

The modern village supporting today’s families

The idea that “it takes a village to raise a child” has existed for generations.

However, the village surrounding families has changed.

Previous generations often relied heavily on extended family networks, with grandparents, relatives and neighbours providing regular support.

Today, many families are raising children while managing different pressures, including workforce demands, financial commitments and reduced access to informal support networks.

Increasingly, the modern village includes:

• early childhood education and care services
• schools
• healthcare providers
• community organisations
• family support services.

For many parents, their first ongoing relationship with the education system begins when they walk through the doors of an early childhood service.

The quality of that experience can shape how families view support systems more broadly.

Young Australians still see parenthood in their future

While Australia’s fertility rate has declined, research indicates many young people still hope to have children.

Rather than a simple shift away from parenthood, researchers suggest decisions about family formation are influenced by a combination of factors, including financial security, housing, future confidence and trust in available support.

This presents an important reflection for policymakers and service providers.

Families need to believe they will not be navigating parenthood alone.

Where ECEC builds trust

Early childhood services play a unique role because relationships sit at the centre of quality practice.

Everyday interactions between educators and families help establish trust through:

• respectful communication
• inclusive practices
• consistency and reliability
• strong partnerships with families
• responsive support during challenging times.

A parent’s experience during the early years can influence their sense of connection, confidence and belonging within their community.

Supporting families through uncertainty

While ECEC services cannot solve broader challenges such as housing affordability or cost-of-living pressures, they can provide something increasingly important, stability.

High-quality early learning environments support families by:

• enabling workforce participation
• providing consistent education and care
• connecting families with additional supports
• identifying needs early
• creating communities where families feel known and valued.

For many families, educators become trusted people who support them through some of the most significant stages of their child’s development.

Building confidence in the future

The research also highlights broader concerns young Australians hold about the future, including environmental issues and uncertainty about the world their children may inherit.

Early childhood education contributes to building future confidence by helping children develop:

• connection to community
• care for the environment
• empathy and responsibility
• confidence to contribute positively.

Through everyday learning experiences, children begin developing the skills and values that shape the communities of tomorrow.

More than childcare: essential social infrastructure

The findings add to a growing recognition that early childhood education and care is a vital part of Australia’s social infrastructure.

ECEC supports:

• children’s learning and development
• family wellbeing
• workforce participation
• community connection
• early intervention.

As Australia considers what future families need, conversations about affordability and access remain important.

But so too is the question of trust.

Do families believe the systems around them will support them when they need them most?

For early childhood education and care, the opportunity is clear.

Every welcoming conversation, every trusted relationship and every connection built with families contributes to something much larger.

A system where families feel supported from the very beginning.

Read the full media report here.