Australian Government - MyChild.gov.au
Early Childhood Agenda
Investing in the development and care of children makes good social and economic sense.
The early years are critically important for children, and learning is most effective when it begins at a young age and continues to adulthood. Helping young Australians realise their potential is ultimately an investment in Australia’s future and needs to start early.
Research indicates that the first five years of a child’s life are when they do their most important learning. In fact, children develop most of their intellect, personality and skills by the age of five. Providing access to high quality affordable early education programs is one of the best ways to ensure positive outcomes for children, particularly disadvantaged children.
The Australian Government recognises the critical importance of the early years and is working to create a world class system of integrated early childhood learning and care. The Government’s early childhood reform agenda includes:
- National Early Childhood Development Strategy
- Early Learning and Care Centres
- National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care
- the Early Years Learning Framework
- Universal Access to Early Childhood Education
- the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters
- the National Early Years Workforce Strategy
- the Australian Early Development Index