Everyone has felt the impacts of the global COVID pandemic in some shape or form – our children included.

Outbreaks and lockdowns have meant that children have missed out on the critical social, emotional and early learning opportunities that are so critical for their development.

Now, as COVID restrictions ease and early learning and schools open up in NSW and Victoria, we need to ensure children aged under five and early childhood educators are protected from infection – while also getting the support they need to address the impact of the pandemic.

That’s why we’re calling on the Federal Government for an urgent National Early Years COVID Plan to help better protect children aged under five, early educators and communities from the impacts of COVID.

Will you support this call by endorsing the Early Years COVID Plan?

The key priorities of the Early Years COVID Plan include:

1. Greater support for children: guaranteed package of early learning hours for those that miss out during lockdowns.
2. Health support: vaccination priority for early childhood educators and others working with children.
3. Financial stability support: take the pressure off families and guarantee income for early learning services and educators during lockdowns or times of uncertainty.

Click here to read the full plan.