Following the 2022 State Election, the Malinauskas Labor Government initiated a nation leading Royal Commission into the delivery of Early Childhood Education and Care.
The Commission, led by Julia Gillard, has now completed its work and has announced that it will start work immediately on delivering the recommendations of the report.
The blueprint promises to start a transformative journey that aims to benefit thousands of children across generations.
The government will start by adopting the very first recommendation in the report; setting a notable target to decrease the number of children entering school with developmental vulnerabilities. The objective is a reduction from 23.8% to 15% within two decades, which is a marked improvement from the current national average of 22%.
The state’s commitment is further strengthened with an upfront investment of $70 million, earmarked to augment preschool and Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services in South Australia. But this is just the beginning. The government’s plans encapsulate a range of initiatives, from the introduction of universal three-year-old preschool by 2026 to prioritising the state’s 1,000 most vulnerable children. South Australia aspires to be the first in the nation to offer up to 30 hours of preschool weekly for its most vulnerable young students. Additionally, there’s a proposed trial for out-of-hours care in government-run preschools set for 2024, and the government is gearing up to centralise OSHC management to boost quality and accessibility.
The state government has pledged an initial $50 million for infrastructural developments and an additional $20 million to kickstart the implementation of these pivotal recommendations. This includes a significant $7 million allocation for the Education Standards Board, ensuring that every child education and care provider undergoes evaluation and rating every three years.
Engagement with the Federal Government is also on the cards, particularly concerning recommendations that demand a joint conversation. This intergovernmental dialogue is expected to touch upon broad fee relief for families opting for preschool in non-government settings.
Peter Malinauskas emphasised, “The Royal Commission sets a clear pathway for South Australia to lead the nation in early childhood development and that work starts today.” Drawing attention to the crucial first 1,000 days of a child’s life, he highlighted the long-term positive impact of early intervention, saying, “First and foremost, this is about ensuring fewer children are developmentally vulnerable when they start school.” He extended gratitude to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard for her exceptional contribution via the report.
Blair Boyer, echoing Malinauskas’ sentiments, stating, “I’m really pleased that the Royal Commissioner’s final report contains deliberate recommendations that target support where it’s most needed.” He stressed the transformative power of early intervention and expressed pride in South Australia’s leading role in educational reform, saying, “South Australia has always been a leader in education reform and I’m proud to be part of a government that tackles these things seriously and will in turn lead the national and international conversation in the early years.”
With this vision in place, South Australia is poised to make a monumental impact on early childhood education and care, ensuring brighter futures for its youngest residents.
For those interested in delving deeper, both the Royal Commission report and its media release are available for review.
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