Goodstart has joined with nine other Canberra-based not for profit early learning providers to call for an enhanced commitment to early learning in the ACT and additional investment by the ACT and Federal Governments.
Last week ACT Deputy Chief Minister, Yvette Berry, officially launched the Children First Alliance, a network of not-for-profit children’s services providers in the ACT.
The Alliance includes:
The Alliance has identified six principles for early childhood education and care:
Goodstart Advocacy Manager John Cherry said quality early childhood education makes a significant and lasting impact on children throughout their lives, but that Australian Governments were lagging behind leading OECD countries in their support for and investment in early learning.
“One in five children in the ACT start school developmentally vulnerable, and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, two in five children enter school developmentally vulnerable. We can and should be doing a lot better than that,” he said.
ACT families and educators can find out more about the Alliance by visiting the Children First Alliance website.
Last week ACT Deputy Chief Minister, Yvette Berry, officially launched the Children First Alliance, a network of not-for-profit children’s services providers in the ACT.
The Alliance includes:
- Goodstart Early Learning
- Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT
- Communities@Work
- Community Services #1
- Goodstart Early Learning ACT
- Manuka Child Care Centre (MOCCA)
- Northside Community Service
- Woden Community Service
- YMCA Canberra
- YWCA Canberra
The Alliance has identified six principles for early childhood education and care:
- Children first
- Evidence
- Quality
- Equity
- Accessibility
- Whole of child, whole of community
- Develop an ACT Early Years Strategy
- Provide ongoing funding for preschool for 4 year olds and extending access to 3 year olds
- Reach children experiencing disadvantage
- Consider community need in planning decisions for new centres
- Strengthen school age care
Goodstart Advocacy Manager John Cherry said quality early childhood education makes a significant and lasting impact on children throughout their lives, but that Australian Governments were lagging behind leading OECD countries in their support for and investment in early learning.
“One in five children in the ACT start school developmentally vulnerable, and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, two in five children enter school developmentally vulnerable. We can and should be doing a lot better than that,” he said.
ACT families and educators can find out more about the Alliance by visiting the Children First Alliance website.