The Greens are calling on the NSW Government to increase its investment
in Government preschools to boost the number of children participating
in early childhood education in the two years before primary school
after a new report finds NSW lagging in preschool enrolments.The 2017 State of Early Learning in Australia report from Early Childhood Australia found [1]:
* 77 per cent of children in NSW are enrolled in more than 600 hours of preschool in the year before school in 2015, significantly less than the 97 per cent in Victoria.
* Australia is ranked in the bottom third of nations for rates of early childhood education at the age of three.
* Australia also lags behind other OECD countries in early education enrolment rates for four-year-olds.
2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal NSW has the most expensive early childhood education and some of the poorest attendance on record across Australia [2].
NSW Greens Early Childhood Education spokesperson Justin Field said early childhood education is an investment that pays significant dividends for our children and society as a whole.
There is significant evidence of the importance of early education for setting children up for good academic achievement and, equally important, being able to fully participate in society and have fulfilling lives, he said.
"The report out today shows NSW is lagging behind the rest of Australia and the majority of the world's leading economies when it comes to providing quality education in the crucial years leading up to the start of formal primary school," Mr Field said.
"While the early childhood education and childcare care sector needs a diversity of options for parents, greater investment is needed in public preschools to boost attendance and reduce the costs to parents.
"Currently NSW has one of the lowest levels of Government run preschools as part of the early education sector compared to other states.
"We can't afford for children in NSW to fall any further behind others states and the rest of the world -- every child deserves better and the need is urgent among the disadvantaged in our community.
"There is arguably no greater investment a government can make than giving children the best possible start in life so they can achieve their full potential and live their best lives," he said.
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0455 111 593
Snapshot of ABS' Preschool Education, Australia, 2016:
* NSW has the highest fees for preschool attendance compared to other states and the lowest rate of fee free programs delivered through Government preschools.
* NSW has the lowest attendance at preschool programs of a min of 15 hours per week in the year before school. (84.3% compared to an average about 95% in other states).
* NSW has the second highest percentage of preschool programs delivered through Long Day Care Centres which are primarily private. (65% in long day care compared to 35% in dedicated preschools).
Full data set available here: http://www.abs.gov.au/
[1] http://www.everyonebenefits.
[2] http://www.abs.gov.au/
11 September 2017
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