High quality early childhood education and care programs have a positive effect on children's ability to learn, and on their social development.
Good quality early childhood experiences ease the transition to formal schooling, and have a direct affect on educational, employment and health outcomes.
And we know that disadvantaged children have the most to gain from the benefits of early intervention programs delivered in early childhood education and care settings.
If we continue to ignore this evidence and do nothing, we do so at our own peril. The next generation will inevitably pay the cost of our inaction.
The Status Quo and why it needs to Change
As someone reasonably new to this portfolio, I bring a fresh set of eyes – and sometimes that can be very helpful.