The 2023-24 Budget delivers the ACT Government’s biggest ever investment in early childhood education.
From 2024, all Canberra families will be able to access one day a week of free three-year-old preschool. This will benefit more than 5,000 three-year-olds across Canberra.
We know that quality early childhood education has lifelong benefits. Equitable access to quality, play-based early learning is a powerful way to support children’s learning, wellbeing and development, and to set them up for success at school and into the future.
That is why universal access to quality early childhood education is a key part of the ACT Government’s Set up for Success: an Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT.
The ACT Government’s investment of more than $50 million over the next four years to improve equitable access to quality early learning will increase the number of preschool programs delivered through early childhood education and care centres by degree-qualified early childhood teachers.
The 2023-24 Budget also invests in the professionalism of our quality early childhood education and care workforce. These measures include:
- Undertaking a comprehensive survey of the ACT’s early childhood education and care workforce capacity and needs.
- Establishing a professional learning and development resource portal for early childhood education and care services.
- Establishing a Professional Learning Network and collaborative learning communities for early childhood educators across the Territory for the first time.
- Establishing a partnership with the early childhood sector to deliver wrap-around supports, including study financial assistance and paid leave, and coaching and mentoring, for individuals undertaking qualifications in early childhood education.
- Providing scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators working in Koori Preschool to increase their qualifications.
The ACT Government is committed to giving every child a fair start in life. We have long recognised the benefit of investing in quality early childhood education and will continue to invest in our children and young people’s learning.
Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:
We know that investing in the education of our children provides life-long benefits and sets them up with the best chance for success.
The three-year-old preschool measure is not only important for equitable access for Canberrans, but it will also help families with young children address the rising cost of living.
The average family with a three-year-old preschooler will save $1,329 as a result of this initiative.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Yvette Berry:
High quality early childhood education plays a critical role in supporting children to learn and thrive.
Children who take part in quality early learning programs are more likely to go on to have full and happy lives.
Early childhood educators are at the heart of what makes early learning great. This investment supports them to do what they do best – build brains.
I am excited to continue the delivery of this core election commitment.
