Early Childhood Learning Policy
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High Quality
The Child Protection Party views children as Australia's greatest resource because investing in early childhood learning builds our nation's future. Our approach stands apart from conventional policies that neglect vulnerable members of society because we support equal access to first-rate early childhood learning for every child including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and economically disadvantaged families.
We support national investment growth and standardised culturally sensitive programs throughout each state and territory to both close existing gaps and remove them completely, so children from all backgrounds can reach their full potential. Parents alongside communities and governments will help us create a society where every child can achieve their full potential while contributing to Australia's social, economic, and cultural growth for future generations. The Party believes that:
a) Early childhood learning is arguably the most important education a child receives since it lays the foundation for all that follows. Without a strong foundation, a child loses the opportunity to thrive and succeed. b) Early childhood education must be readily available and accessible to all sectors of society especially the more at-risk children and vulnerable in society; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and children from poorer socio-economic backgrounds. c) "Close the learning gap” is currently evidenced, between children from a more disadvantaged and vulnerable background and children from a more financially comfortable or wealthier background. d) Both the Government and parents must work collaboratively to provide the most enriching education and learning experience for Australian children.
We support national investment growth and standardised culturally sensitive programs throughout each state and territory to both close existing gaps and remove them completely, so children from all backgrounds can reach their full potential. Parents alongside communities and governments will help us create a society where every child can achieve their full potential while contributing to Australia's social, economic, and cultural growth for future generations. The Party believes that:
a) Early childhood learning is arguably the most important education a child receives since it lays the foundation for all that follows. Without a strong foundation, a child loses the opportunity to thrive and succeed. b) Early childhood education must be readily available and accessible to all sectors of society especially the more at-risk children and vulnerable in society; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and children from poorer socio-economic backgrounds. c) "Close the learning gap” is currently evidenced, between children from a more disadvantaged and vulnerable background and children from a more financially comfortable or wealthier background. d) Both the Government and parents must work collaboratively to provide the most enriching education and learning experience for Australian children.
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Governments’ Current Investment to Early Childhood Learning
The Child Protection Party advocates strongly for a robust financial commitment to Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs across Australia. Recognizing the evidence-based returns of investment, we propose:
Sustainable National Funding Model
a) Ensure continuous funding beyond short-term commitments to provide certainty and stability for families and ECE providers.
b) Update and extend the existing Commonwealth Universal Access National Partnership, maintaining or increasing funding levels to reflect current economic factors and inflation rates.
c) In 2024-25, Australia's Federal Government has committed approximately $2 billion towards early childhood education initiatives. We propose this investment be increased progressively each financial year to meet inflationary pressures and rising enrolment numbers.
Equitable Resource Allocation
a) Employ needs-based funding models to allocate additional resources and support to disadvantaged regions and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, rural and remote areas, and lower socioeconomic groups.
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Funding – National, State and Territory
a) The national policy must be Federally funded with Federal oversight and administered by the States and Territories. b) Each State and Territory must operate and function with consistency by adopting the same Framework, Guidelines, Rules, Policies, Road Maps, etc., to ensure an easier transition of child learning to each State and Territory in Australia. c) Except where it funds programs aimed at special needs children, taxation should not be used to fund private schools whether secular or religious. The funding currently provided should be used to improve the infrastructure and facilities of public schools.
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