Post the 2022 Budget there has been a huge amount of buzz about Early learning, hasn't there?

It is great to see families getting the policy attention that they deserve! While child care and early learning is in the spotlight we just wanted to take the opportunity to highlight that parental choice needs to continue to be the focus. While parents still cannot get their children into the centres that best align with their family values and educational philosophy at a price point that they can afford, we haven't really solved the problem! It is also really important to continue to identify policy gaps. And while it is fantastic to see economic reform that allows women to return to work, we cannot forget that this must go hand in hand with empowering parents' capacity to be the best parent they can be. As they are their child's first, longest and most consistent teacher.

Policies that support early learning and capitalise on the brain development of children are essential. As is nurturing loving hearts and kindness. But we cannot forget that this learning occurs both informally and formally in educational settings. We cannot forget that building the capacity of parents is just as important for children's brain development as the opportunity to experience formal learning environments. Preferencing one over the other is not supportive. Parents should always have the choice to decide on the best learning environment for their children without undue financial penalty. Whether parents choose a bespoke framework of at-home activities, playgroups and library activities or combine paid services like swimming lessons and gymnastics lessons mixed with part-time care or choose full-time learning centre environments. It needs to be understood that both ways provide rich learning environments.

The narrative increasingly seems to be sliding to the idea that parents are "outsourcing" their parenting and it is important that as more women take up the opportunity to return to work and men adopt more balanced work/home lives we capitalise on the opportunity to improve parenting outcomes at the same time. We need to be loudly advocating for all parents to be skilled and empowered to parent their children to the best of their ability with a fully resourced suite of supports available to them.

Take care,

Jenni

APC's new CEO!