Jacqui Emery, CEO of Royal Far West, said the proposed commission would elevate the quality and safety standards of Australia’s ECEC system, ensuring critical gaps that have been identified are urgently addressed. “The Greens’ proposal for a National Early Childhood Commission, which was also recommended by the Productivity Commission, would ensure that there is centralised accountability to ensure that all children attending early learning settings are safe.” Ms Emery said.
“As a specialist child development service working in 360 rural and remote communities across Australia, we have a deep understanding and commitment to upholding the rights of children by demonstrating child-safe practices and continuous improvement. “It is not acceptable to have an early education and care system that puts even one child at risk of harm. To ensure this outcome, quality standards must be strictly enforced. The regulators must be adequately funded to do this work.
“The Federal Government’s proposed reforms to withhold funding from providers breaching safety and quality standards are an important first step.
“However, they alone will not address the issues facing our early childhood sector. A dedicated national commission would build on these positive reforms, creating a nationally consistent and comprehensive approach to quality assurance. Country children are twice as likely as city children to start school developmentally vulnerable. Quality early education is essential to help prevent this gap from widening.
“For rural and remote families, who often have fewer childcare options, it’s critical that all available services meet high safety and quality standards. A national commission that enforces standards would help ensure every Australian child gets the best possible start in life, regardless of where they live.
“We call on all political parties to support the establishment of a National Early Childhood Commission as a critical step toward protecting our most vulnerable children and building a world-class early education system for all Australians,” Ms Emery said.