Victorian Liberals and Nationals commit to retaining Free Kinder and reviewing early learning

The Victorian Liberals and Nationals would maintain Free Kinder and review the early learning sector focusing on funding, regulation, compliance, infrastructure, capacity and workforce if elected, Shadow Minister for Education Brad Rowswell told a sector forum.

Commitments were outlined at the Victorian Early Childhood and Care Election Forum held by Early Childhood Australia (ECA), Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) and Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) Victoria on Tuesday 10 November at Melbourne Town Hall. A joint media statement was released by the three peak bodies outlining discussion points.

“Free Kinder is here to stay under a Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government, but the way Labor has rolled it out is putting real pressure on kinders, especially smaller, community-run services.” However, the way it has been delivered by Labour is putting significant pressure on kinder services, specifically small community based services said Mr Rowswell.

This was welcomed by the Greens spokesperson for early childhood education and kindergarten in Victoria Anasina Gray-Barberio but she would like to see more investment in under-threes and sustainable workforce.

Where would early learning investment go?

The review will look at evidence to help deliver funding, regulation and support for the early learning sector. Mr Rowswell raised questions over how much investment is currently going to those in most need.

Although the Best Start, Best Life reforms have been put in place there are still communities experiencing capacity issues. He also raised concerns about building a government funded service in a high school in Sunbury when there are vacancies with current providers.

“We need more transparency around where new services are being established and more collaboration with existing providers. We will also look at recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry into early childhood education and care in Victoria,” Mr Rowswell said.

The review will look at infrastructure, capacity and strategies to increase the number of qualified educators, particularly in regional Victoria. The hosts noted that participants mentioned the importance of having more stewardship to tackle capacity and over-capacity issues to ensure services are provided where they are needed.

Greens urge more funding for children under three

Ms Gray-Barberio said there had been a lot of discussion around funding for three and four year olds in kindergarten. More attention needs to be placed on under-threes.

Ms Gray-Barberio said access to high-quality early learning should be available to every child, regardless of disability, postcode or socio-economic circumstances.

“I want to see investment in workforce development, child safety and sustainable services. The Greens believe early childhood education and care should be treated as an essential free universal service,” she said.

She also supports having a national early childhood commission and more collaboration with the sector.

Workforce investment and child safety require practical support

Both representatives recognised the pressures on educators and the importance of acknowledging their work. ACA Victoria President Tonii Tran also raised the pressures being felt across the sector.

Mr Rowswell said the review will look at how new childcare and OSHC regulations are impacting the sector as a whole. This includes looking at how much capacity is being used to ensure child safety standards are met. Micro-credentialing and valuing current experience could be a strategy for workforce development.

Ms Gray-Barberio said there should be fair pay and retaining skilled educators. She also supports recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry and increasing the capacity of the independent regulator.

Her priorities include having First Nations perspectives and frameworks, cultural safety and sustainable support for children with disabilities and diverse families.

Thriving Kids: how would families access support?

The representatives also spoke about the roll out of Thriving Kids and how children and families will be supported during the changes to the NDIS.

Mr Rowswell said a Liberal government would honour the agreement with the Commonwealth in Victoria. However, he raised concerns around employing extra allied health staff within the Department of Education. He said there should be more use of community health services.

Ms Gray-Barberio raised concerns around consultation and wanting more clarity for families. She supports having a range of options for families to get support through early childhood services, maternal and child health, community health and schools.

Both representatives recognised that educators and providers would need enough resources to support children and families. For services looking to plan ahead, there needs to be clarity on what funding will be available, how they can get support and when it will start. This will enable providers to understand how these commitments will impact their service and families.

Watch the Victorian sector forum recording.