UNIVERSAL THREE-YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL KEY FOR ADDRESSING STEEP RISE IN COST OF EARLY EDUCATION OVER PAST DECADE
15 May 2023 – New analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data has revealed the cost of preschool and primary school education has soared by 135% since March 2003 [1], prompting a renewed call for free three-year-old preschool from Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative.
Education costs are one of the fastest-rising household costs tracked by the ABS.
Free three-year-old kindergarten is set to start this year in Victoria. Universal three-year-old preschool is a recommendation of the current South Australian Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care and was planned for introduction in NSW prior to the recent state election and change of government.
Thrive by Five Director Jay Weatherill said while parents would receive some cost relief from the increase in childcare subsidy from July 1, the data showed more should be done to make high-quality early learning more affordable and accessible for every Australian child.
“Investment in universal three-year-old preschool provides opportunities for young children that will last a lifetime,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The option of accessing universal early childhood education will benefit children’s development and wellbeing and bring cost of living relief for household budgets.
“We know children who start primary school behind their peers struggle to catch up, so it’s vital we level the playing field with early learning and address the disadvantage that can otherwise continue all the way through to adult life.
“Universal three-year-old preschool will also increase workforce participation by parents and primary caregivers at a time of ongoing labour shortages across the nation, including a crisis in the early learning workforce itself.
“Early learning is a critical piece of national and social infrastructure and universal three-year-old preschool should be provided by every state government across the nation for the best start in life for children and optimum results for the economy and household budgets.
“Thrive by Five will continue its strong, nationwide advocacy for universal three-year-old preschool over the coming year as a national Early Years Strategy is developed,” Mr Weatherill said.
