industry & reform
First steps
Sector underwhelmed by early childhood budget announcement .
By Shaney Hudson
The federal government ’ s 2021 education budget allocation for early childhood has been met with a lukewarm reaction from the education sector , with commentators citing missed opportunities and lack of inclusivity in the measures for early childhood education and care .
As part of the government package , treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced $ 1.7 billion extra funding for childcare , up from $ 10.3 billion .
The funding only applies to the second or subsequent child , where two or more children are enrolled in daycare at the same time .
REACTIONS Early Childhood Australia CEO Samantha Page described the $ 1.7 billion promised over five years as “ a modest investment ”.
“ It will benefit less than a quarter of the approximately one million Australian families using early childhood education , and doesn ’ t start until July 2022 ,” she said .
Many have noted the delay in funding until after the next federal election .
The government also announced it will abolish the $ 10,560 cap on childcare subsidies for families with a combined income of more than $ 189,390 , which previously saw many families “ run out ” of financial assistance towards the end of the financial year .
WINNERS AND LOSERS A key criticism of the budget is that it is creating a system of winners and losers .
“ The budget announcement is a step in the right direction , but it is not enough to support equitable early childhood education that is inclusive of all Australian children ,” says Rachael Hedger , program co-ordinator for Early Childhood Undergraduate Education at Flinders University .
Professor Marilyn Fleer , foundation chair in Early Childhood Education and Development at Monash University , sees the budget announcement as a missed opportunity for structural reform .
“ The message should not be about affordable childcare ; we need free childcare ,” Fleer said .
“ There is longstanding research that shows that the biggest boost to an economy is to invest in its children . Investing now saves billions of dollars in intervention programs later .”
Hedger also argues the budget is shortsighted , focusing on returning parents to the workforce , not the developmental needs of children .
“ Getting women into the workforce as a result of offering subsidised child-care is a short-term gain ,” Hedger argued .
“ Providing childcare isn ’ t just about women ’ s workplace engagement — it ’ s about giving children the best start in life .”
The message should not be about affordable childcare ; we need free childcare .
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Another key criticism of the budget was its lack of funding for the besieged tertiary sector .
“ Whilst affordable childcare is a desirable and important issue to be addressed , it is meaningless unless the critical workforce issues are simultaneously considered ,” associate professor Christine Woodrow from Western Sydney University said .
“ The current shortage of degreequalified early childhood educators working in the sector seriously undermines quality provision .”
Georgie Dent , executive director of The Parenthood , agrees .
“ Early educators are underpaid , underappreciated and services are reporting major staff shortages . Appropriate and secure funding for the workforce that delivers early education and care is vital .”
However , Dent is supportive of the $ 1.6 billion allocated in the budget over a fouryear period for preschoolers , which supports 15 hours of preschool per child , per week . “ After so much uncertainty thanks to rolling one-year funding agreements this is welcome ,” she said .
“ The next stop is to go for the gold standard and extend it to three-year-olds too .” ■
8 | educationreview . com . au