Child care used to be thought of in pretty basic terms. It was simply a group babysitting service so that parents could go to work. Not anymore. We now know that child care is about so much more than that – that’s why there have been debates, reform and huge new investments in the sector.
So what exactly has changed?
Firstly, a huge body of research now clearly demonstrates that the first five years of a child’s life are the most critical in terms of learning and development. The experiences of a child in these early years will shape their future outcomes.
This is the time when children crave stimulation, are curious about everything and hungry for their knowledge to expand as they grasp the basics of sight, sound, movement and thought. In fact we know that 90 per cent of brain development occurs within the first three years.
I am an absolute believer in the power of education; to ensure that individuals have greater opportunities than those enjoyed by their parents and grandparents, to lift people out of poverty and of course, to ensure we are a smart nation for the future.
All of the evidence shows this power of education is at its height during these early years and we get the best results through giving children access to trained and qualified early childhood staff, who can provide adequate attention and supervision by not having too many kids under their care.
Another thing that has changed is just the sheer size of the early childhood sector.