Building a Strong Foundation: Why Childcare Funding in Australia Matters

Did you know that Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centres are Start Strong NSW Free Preschool Funding approved? Beginning in January 2024, the Start Strong Funding program was introduced by the NSW government to help make childcare more affordable and reduce stress for families. Government funding initiatives such as this one are essential to making early childhood education accessible and improving the outcomes for young people. In this blog, we’ll explore this program in more detail and discuss why childcare funding in Australia is so important.

What is the Start Strong Funding Program?

The Start Strong Funding program came in response to growing childcare fees across Australia. Studies show that these rates are even outpacing inflation increases, forcing many families to opt for cheap, low-quality daycare services or not at all. Other families have been pushed to reduce their work hours and income to care for their children themselves. Start Strong funding was introduced to make childcare more affordable and accessible. This year marks a significant milestone as, for the first time, there will be a fee relief of up to $500 per child for 3-year-old children enrolled in eligible preschool programs within long daycare settings, along with savings of up to $2,110 per child for 4 and 5-year-olds. 

Start Strong operates under the guiding principles that all children in NSW, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and those facing vulnerability and disadvantage, should have access to a minimum of 600 hours per year of high-quality preschool education before starting primary school. The program aims to actively increase enrollment and attendance to meet this recommended level of participation. Additionally, all childcare services are expected to offer learning environments and programs that cater to the diverse early learning needs of their community and meet every child’s developmental needs.

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education offers vital benefits for children’s development. Firstly, it provides a strong academic foundation, with research showing that when a child participates in at least 600 hours of preschool in the year before Kindergarten, they are more likely to have the social, emotional, and cognitive skills crucial for future success. Secondly, through play-based learning and collaborative activities, children develop essential communication and problem-solving abilities, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning. Early education also fosters socio-emotional development, equipping children with the skills to navigate social interactions, regulate emotions, and build resilience. In environments like Reggio Emilia childcare centres, where individual expression and emotional intelligence are nurtured, children are better prepared for success in both academic and personal realms.

Supporting Working Parents and Improving Equality

Inclusivity and building community are some of the fundamental pillars of the Reggio Emilia approach. Government funding allows us to embody these principles fully. Through this support, parents, especially mothers, are empowered to participate in the workforce and earn a stable income while giving their children the best educational opportunities. Equitable access to early education ensures that all children, regardless of their socio-economic background, can develop essential skills and abilities during a crucial and formative time in their lives. Finally in the long-term, investing in high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for future generations to overcome the cycle of financial inequality, fostering a more equitable and prosperous society.

When parents, particularly mothers, are enabled to pursue employment opportunities, they contribute not only to their family’s financial stability but also to overall economic growth. By remaining in the workforce, parents can contribute their skills, knowledge, and talents to various industries, driving innovation and productivity. Concurrently, this increased participation in the labour market expands the talent pool available to employers, leading to a more efficient and functional economy. 

Fostering a Skilled Workforce for the Future 

The ‘100 Different Languages’ philosophy is a key idea of the Reggio Emilia approach. It suggests that children have a plethora of ways to express themselves beyond verbal communication, including through music, art and writing. This is because from birth to about 6 years, a child’s brain undergoes significant development and is filled with a multitude of potential neural connections. During this time, children demonstrate a remarkable ability to absorb information and engage in multifaceted modes of self-expression. Essentially, when a child learns a skill in childcare, they will show a better understanding of said skill throughout their life. For example, studies show that rapid growth in the brain’s language centres occurs at this time, making it the perfect period to teach children a second language. Our Reggio Language program was created with this in mind and is one of the many ways we engage children in their learning and foster a skilled workforce for future generations. 

Government funding plays a crucial role in supporting childcare education programs like ours. By investing in early childhood education, the government can ensure that all children have access to high-quality learning experiences during this critical period of brain development. Adequate funding enables childcare centres to hire qualified educators, provide resources for innovative teaching methods, and maintain safe and stimulating environments for children to thrive in. Without government support, many families may not have the means to afford such enriching educational opportunities for their children, widening the gap in access to quality early childhood education.

The implementation of programs like Start Strong demonstrates how vital accessible, high-quality childcare is for young Australians. As explored, early childhood education plays a pivotal role in a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development and in fostering equality for future generations. Likewise, supporting working parents is essential in building community and contributing to our country’s economic growth and stability. To find out more about how to access Start Strong Funding at Reggio Emilia feel free to reach out to us on 02 9891 2222 or via email at mail@reggioemilia.com.au.