The Thrive by Five campaign has welcomed a NSW Government announcement to make preschool for four-year-olds in community and mobile preschools free.
CEO Jay Weatherill described the initiative as an important step towards early learning and childcare reform in NSW.
“I congratulate Premier Berejiklian and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell. This is recognition of the critical importance of a high-quality education in the years before a child starts school,” Mr Weatherill said.
“However, there is still opportunity for reform in NSW. The Thrive by Five campaign is urging the NSW Government to push the country’s leaders for an increased childcare subsidy, additional workforce planning for educators and universal access, particularly for three-year-olds, at the forthcoming National Cabinet meeting in Darwin on 9 July.
“We need high-quality, universally accessible and affordable early learning and childcare for all children, regardless of the setting or their parents’ circumstances.
“This should be a priority for all governments, including NSW.
“There is an early educator crisis in Australia today, too many parents are missing out on the opportunity to get back into the workforce and thousands of children do not have access to the immense benefits that come from early learning and childcare.
“I look forward to all governments, including NSW, bringing forward new and innovative ideas to reform Australia’s early learning and childcare system.”
