Early Childhood Development

Key points

These key points were released with the Early Childhood Development Workforce research report on 1 December 2011.

The early childhood development sector contributes to the positive early life outcomes experienced by the majority of young children in Australia. The sector provides early childhood education and care, child health and family support services to over 1.5 million children.
Governments are implementing a range of substantial reforms to early childhood education and care. These reforms have substantial implications for the 140 000 strong early childhood education and care workforce.
The VET workforce comprises about 73 000 TAFE employees and an estimated 150 000 who work for other VET providers. It includes trainers and assessors, other professionals and general staff. It has a greater proportion of part-time, casual and older workers, compared with the general labour force.
The supply of suitably qualified workers is likely to take some time to respond, and temporary exemptions from the new standards (waivers) will be required. Government timelines for reform appear optimistic.
Increased demand for qualifications will increase demand for vocational education and training. Unless existing concerns surrounding poor quality training are addressed, much of any increased investment in vocational education and training could be wasted. As a priority, a review of the relevant training package and sufficient funding so that the new national regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority, can effectively monitor the delivery of the package is required.
Appropriate and accessible professional development and support for staff is needed so that the benefits of additional training are enduring, and to disseminate information on the extensive pedagogical and regulatory sectoral reforms.
The increase in early childhood education and care service costs due to labour cost increases will mainly be shared by governments and parents, rather than by workers or providers. Under existing subsidy arrangements, access to long day care services is expected to be lower than without the reforms, as a result of higher costs faced by parents.
Alternative child care subsidy structures, emphasising targeting to the most disadvantaged children and families, could deliver cost savings to the Australian Government while helping to ensure access to services for those who would benefit most.
Child and family health nurses are generally in good supply. Research is required to determine the optimal mix of skills and qualifications in the child health workforce.
Early childhood development services are not currently providing the same start in life to children with additional needs, and many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, that is commonly available to other children. The workforce requirements to provide appropriate services for these children must be prioritised so that the gap in outcomes between them and other children is minimised, not exacerbated.
The development of integrated early childhood development centres provides new opportunities for improved service delivery, but may require additional leadership and cross-disciplinary professional development for staff for them to be effective.

Background information
Ben McLean (Assistant Commissioner) 03 9653 2187