Labor’s Focus On Quality Early Learning Is The Way To Go

“We know that good quality early child care and education sets the right foundation for children's further development," said Independent Education Union (IEU) Federal Secretary Lynne Rolley

"Early childhood education and child care services are important in terms of an individual child's needs for companionship, play opportunities, social and emotional and intellectual development, either through regular care or occasional care," said Ms Rolley

“The findings of Professor Keane come as no surprise to the IEU” she said.

Professor of Economics at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Michael Keane, has stated that the future capacity of children could be determined by as early as the age of five and that early interventions like quality day-care and pre-schooling could help raise the educational outcomes of young children and greatly benefit their long-term future.

"Extensive research has demonstrated the value of early childhood education, that effective schooling cannot be developed in isolation, that early childhood education is important for subsequent success and schooling should build on the influential pre-school years," said Ms Rolley.

"We know that good quality early child care and education sets the right foundation for children's further development."

"To date, the federal government has not committed the resources or desire to ensure that early childhood education is appropriately supported and nurtured in all childcare arrangements and so the commitments by the Opposition are welcomed by the union," said Ms Rolley.

The IEU believes that early childhood education and child care services play a crucial role in supplementing parental care, promoting children's social, cognitive and personal development. This role is vital in enabling parents to participate in employment, education and training.

Consequently, the IEU believes access to good quality care is a priority for families combining employment and family responsibilities.

“The ALP Early Childhood Education Plan is an important contribution to this area”

Contact details

Lynne Rolley
Federal Secretary
Ph: 03 9254 1830
Fax: 03 9254 1835
ieu@ieu.org.au