NEW FIGURES SHOW AUSTRALIA’S CURRENT CHILDCARE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING
6 June 2024 – New data released today by Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign shows Australia’s childcare system is harder to access for children of parents that do not hold a post-secondary qualification.
The figures show a 20 per cent difference between enrolment for children of parents who hold a tertiary qualification and those parents who completed Year 12 as their highest level of education.
According to research conducted with 520 parents with a child under school age, 53 per cent of children of parents whose highest educational attainment is Year 12 are enrolled in early childhood education and care, compared to 73 per cent of children of parents whose highest level of educational attainment is a bachelor degree or higher.
Thrive by Five’s Jay Weatherill said this disparity was clear evidence that the current childcare system was not working and was not universal.
“The early years are the best opportunity we have to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive,” Mr Weatherill said.
“It’s a time of rapid brain development and when a child is supported through that period with high quality early learning, they are more likely to start school ready to learn, more likely to finish school and go on to further study.
“We can set children up for life.
“But right now, there are too many barriers that prevent families accessing childcare. That means children are missing out, especially the children of parents of children who do not have a post-secondary qualification as this data shows.
“We need bold reform of our early childhood education and care system. We need a truly universal system where every child, no matter their parents’ circumstances, can access the opportunities that are unlocked through participation in early learning.
“That is why Thrive by Five is calling for national legislation to enshrine the right of every child to thrive by five in law, including pricing and funding reform to ensure cost is not a barrier for families.
“Our message to Australia’s politicians and decision-makers is this: if you support children, if you want to see them start school ready to learn, then you must support a guarantee for children to universal early childhood education,” Mr Weatherill said.
View the data: Who has children in early childhood education?
