The Royal Commission has today released its interim report into Early Childhood Education and Care.
The Malinauskas Labor Government initiated the Royal Commission in October last year and tasked former Prime Minister Julia Gillard with leading this important piece of education reform.
The Royal Commission has focussed its interim report on the Terms of Reference relating to the implementation of a universal three-year-old preschool program.
The report makes findings and in principle recommendations only on three-year-old preschool as a major reform planned for in South Australia from 2026.
The Royal Commissioner is seeking feedback ahead of the final report being released later in the year.
Key findings from the interim report included acknowledging that universal preschool as an important measure to improve outcomes for all children. It does however highlight the disproportionately positive impact for children from vulnerable or disadvantaged communities.
The report also highlights the importance of quality of the three-year-old preschool program as a part of this reform, as that will be what determines the outcomes for children.
The report explores different approaches to delivering universal three-year-old preschool with the Royal Commission recommending a mixed-model, across both the government and long-day care sectors.
As part of this roll-out, considerations will need to be taken into account for infrastructure, workforce, quality of care and accessibility.
The final Royal Commission’s line of inquiry will include:
*How South Australian families are supported in the first 1000 days of a child’s life, with a focus on opportunities to further leverage early childhood education and care to improve outcomes for South Australian children.
*How universal quality preschool programs for three and four-year-olds can be delivered in South Australia.
*How all families can access out of school hours care at both preschool and primary school ages, including accessibility, affordability and quality.
* The benefits of increasing workforce participation from parents through improved access to childcare, early childhood education, and out of school hours care.
The Royal Commission has brought together a range of experts, research, and those with lived experience of families from all backgrounds to shape recommendations for the government over the short and longer term.
The State Government will consider the recommendations and provide a response ahead of the final report due later this year.
For further information visit www.royalcommissionecec.sa.gov.au
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
We have taken significant steps towards delivering the biggest reform to early childhood education our State has ever seen. We have an ambitious goal, and we have to get it right.
That’s why I asked Julia Gillard to lead this important piece of work – because she has the depth of knowledge and the experience to lead the charge on this mammoth task.
This Royal Commission is a unique opportunity to understand what we need to do to establish South Australia as a place where all families have the support they need to give their children the best start in life.
What we’re doing here isn’t just nation-leading, but it’s world-leading.
We are reforming our education system to ensure early education and intervention are critical pieces of how we invest in our children, and our future.
It’s important we look at these recommendations with a holistic view, that we take the time to ask questions, and critically view our education system, so that any actions from this are the right ones for the next generation.
Attributable to Blair Boyer
We have a goal to create a system that makes it easier and more accessible for modern working families, who might be grappling with the balance that comes with working and raising children.
As a government, we recognise the critical nature of ensuring we get this right.
The Royal Commission’s interim report has provided us with some important ways to look at how we reform education and I look forward to working with the Premier and the Education Department to consider the best options to propel this forward for our State.
What’s incredibly important to me is equity – and ensuring vulnerable children are never left behind in education. Early intervention, to support social, learning and emotional wellbeing, is the absolute best way to ensure that happens.
This is not an easy task, but it doesn’t mean we don’t do it. We have to get it right for our children’s sake as this is a critical investment in our future.
