ACA Victoria welcomes latest Victorian Government investment in early learning

The following text is lifted from an ACA Victoria Media Release - Thursday 16th June 2022:

Victoria’s peak body for private long day early learning services, ACA Victoria has welcomed today’s announcements that the Victorian Government will invest significantly in the early learning sector.

ACA Victoria heralded the announcement as a game-changer for families to provide low or no cost kindergarten for four-year-olds  and three-year-olds participating in kindergarten in a long day care program. In addition, from 2025 the number of Victorian Government-funded hours for kindergarten will increase from 15 hours to 30 hours per week.

“The last few years have highlighted the importance of our sector to the Victorian economy and the enormous benefits of high-quality early learning for our young children,” ACA Victoria Vice President Mr Paul Mondo said.

“The Victorian Government’s ongoing early childhood education reform agenda has already made significant inroads at improving outcomes for children and families. In combination with today’s announcement, this further emphasises the importance of equitable and affordable high-quality early learning (child care).

Victorian Government-funded initiatives which aim to address the critical workforce shortage in our sector, such as the Early Childhood Jobs website and financial incentives to take up a teaching role, are a fantastic start to building a long-term viable sector.

ACA Victoria’s biggest priority is to continue focussing on resolving the critical shortage of educators which risks undermining the significant investment by the Victorian Government.

ACA Victoria appreciates that the recently announced reforms will, no doubt, take significant work to ensure that the funding is spent for the most impactful, positive outcome for our young children, their families and the sector more broadly,” Mr Mondo continued.

“We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to ensure that the capital investment is used most effectively, leveraging existing infrastructure and ensuring a strong return on investment for taxpayers,” Mr Mondo said.

“We need our services to remain open and to comfortably cope with the anticipated increased demand that these policies are likely to create.

“With the Victorian Government as our partner, we know we will achieve our vision – a future where every child in Victoria has access to high-quality, affordable and sustainable early learning services,” Mr Mondo said.

“We look forward to working with all of our decision makers to ensure that their respective investments in the sector make a life-changing difference to our families and ensure that every child in Victoria has the best start in life, regardless of their parents’ circumstances or where they live.”

ENDS

For media enquiries:

ACA Victoria Vice President, Paul Mondo 0411 587 170