By Georgie Dent
The early-learning sector in Australia has expanded rapidly in recent decades. That’s a good thing. High-quality early-childhood education benefits children for life and is essential infrastructure that enables families and communities to function. But while the sector has grown, regulation and stewardship have lagged behind.
The expansion has largely been market-led, with for-profit providers driving much of the growth. Many deliver quality but we cannot ignore the growing influence of business models that are incentivised to put profit ahead of children. The result? Too many services are understaffed, under-supported and under pressure to cut corners. That’s a dangerous mix.
Meanwhile, not-for-profit and community-run services, which are deeply rooted in local communities and more consistently deliver excellent outcomes, are increasingly being squeezed out. If we are serious about safety and quality, we need to support these providers – and make sure every new investment strengthens the sector, not fragment it further.
We already have a strong foundation: Australia’s National Quality Framework is world-leading. We know what high-quality education and care looks like. But standards alone are not enough. For them to mean anything, they must be backed by well-funded regulators, clear accountability and consequences when things go wrong.