One of the country’s leading providers of community services to families says Australian children and their parents are being let down by a lack of uniformity in early childhood education and services across states and territories.

Mission Australia says a lack of consistent services, curriculum and delivery models meant children in some parts of the country were receiving a better start than kids in others.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said Australian early childhood policy was “crying out” for a nationally consistent and holistic strategy that rolled out universal education, intervention and other services to all parents and their newborn babies.

Mr Hall also said, at the moment, Australia was being left behind by New Zealand when it came to providing the necessary levels of early childhood education.

“Despite some good efforts by federal and state/territory governments, there are still too many holes and inconsistencies in terms of Australia’s early childhood system,” said Mr Hall.

“Surely our children deserve the same opportunities for a good start in life wherever they are?

“A recent report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industries drew a clear picture of the problem: ‘the number of different approaches, funding formulae, terminology, child ratios, curriculum, costs, delivery hours and models promote inequity across Australia for young children and their parents.’

“We need to guarantee that across the country all mums receive the same high quality advice and guidance on achieving a safe pregnancy; that all mums and babies receive the same health checks at the appropriate times; that all parents are aware of the education tools available to them on early childhood development – and can access them; and that they have the help they need when things get tough.

“We need to provide a nationally consistent program allowing for targeted interventions for children and their families who need extra help. Some kids and parents need a little additional help, others need a lot.

“And in terms of early childhood education, New Zealand is leaving Australia behind after establishing a 10 year national early childhood strategy which has delivered an increase in early childhood education centres and qualified teachers, along with a universal early childhood education program providing 20 hours per week pre-school for all 3-4 year olds.

“Australia directs only 1.5% of its overall investment in public education into pre-schools – that’s compared to the OECD average of 7.2% - despite the overwhelming evidence of its benefits. This has got to change.

“It may be seen by some as mere symbolism, but we also believe strongly in the reintroduction of a child-focussed portfolio into the Federal Ministry.

“Think five years ago and Australia had a Federal Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. It was during this period that several major initiatives on early childhood were launched.

“Back in 2007, there’s no Federal Minister with a specific child – or even youth – focus.

“When there’s no one at our highest level of government with the publicly articulated responsibility of managing child welfare and development, you have to wonder where it stands as a priority.

“It certainly adds weight to the case for establishing a National Commissioner for Children and Young People – something children’s groups have been advocating for years.

“If we are entering an era of ‘new Federalism’, there aren’t too many issues more deserving of national intervention than early childhood.

“We certainly need a greater level of national leadership and energy to tackle the holes that currently exist,” said Mr Hall.

Media inquiries: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0408 665 495

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