Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Professor Sharon Goldfeld has joined a new panel of experts that will advise the Federal Government on delivering the best possible outcomes for preschool children.
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge hosted the first meeting of the Preschools Outcomes Measure Expert Advisory Group earlier this month.
Professor Goldfeld is joined on the panel by eight other early childhood development and education experts.
Professor Goldfeld, a paediatrician and public health specialist, is Theme Director of Population Health and Co-Group Leader of Policy and Equity at MCRI and Director of the Centre for Community Child Health at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
She has a decade of experience as a senior policymaker in health and education, including principal medical advisor in the Victorian Department of Education and Training.
Professor Goldfeld’s research program focuses on investigating, testing and translating sustainable policy solutions that eliminate inequities for children in Australia. This is complemented by her leading role in Children’s Headline Indicators and the initial development and implementation of the Australian Early Development Census; using data to drive system change.
Minister Tudge said the panel would develop options to measure the impact of preschool education to help ensure every child gets the support they need to succeed.
The advisory group will review existing research, evidence and strategies from Australia and internationally, and advise on potential new measures, or revising existing measures.
It will allow governments to work together with the early childhood sector to develop a greater understanding of what works for Australian preschool children.
The Advisory Group will report on its findings in early 2022.
