Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care

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Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

We want to hear about what you need from early childhood education and care.

What's being decided?

The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care is investigating what can be done to better support families in South Australia so that our children can thrive, including offering 3-year-old preschool to all children.

Your input will help the Royal Commission gain a deeper understanding of how the early years system can better support children across South Australia.

Background

Research shows how crucial the years before school are to the rest of a child's life - 90% of adult brain development and growth occurs in the first 5 years.

A range of services provide what is called 'early childhood education and care'. These include:

  • long day care (often known as child care)
  • family day care
  • early learning centres
  • children's centres
  • preschool (often known as kindy or kindergarten).

The Royal Commission will focus on how these services can support all children to succeed, as well as looking at preschool for 3-year-old children and the supports families might need to access quality education and care, including out of school hours care at all ages.

Learn more about the Royal Commission and the current early years system on the Royal Commission website.

Get involved

OSHC providers and staff

The Royal Commission wants to hear from OSHC providers, OSHC Directors, school staff and school governing council members about the opportunities and challenges for OSHC in South Australia.

The Royal Commission is interesting in hearing:

  • What do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges to expanding OSHC services?
  • What are the issues that are unique to rural, regional and small schools when expanding OSHC services?
  • How does the current regulation of OSHC impact the operation and expansion of services?
  • What are the opportunities for OSHC for preschool age children?

Have your say by reading our OSHC issues paper and then taking our survey.

Parents, caregivers and families

The Royal Commission heard from parents and caregivers across South Australia via our survey. Their input will be incorporated into the Final Report due in August.

Other ways to contribute

To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter.

You can also contact the Royal Commission by:

What are the next steps?

The Royal Commission is expected to run until mid-to-late 2023.

The Royal Commission will also speak with educators, experts, unions and service providers to develop the policy options to make South Australia's early childhood education and care system one that lays a strong foundation for all children.

The Commission's Interim Report focusing on 3-year-old preschool delivery has been delivered and the Final Report will be released by the end of August 2023.

The Government will then consider the report and the recommendations, and look at how to implement them.

We want to hear about what you need from early childhood education and care.

What's being decided?

The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care is investigating what can be done to better support families in South Australia so that our children can thrive, including offering 3-year-old preschool to all children.

Your input will help the Royal Commission gain a deeper understanding of how the early years system can better support children across South Australia.

Background

Research shows how crucial the years before school are to the rest of a child's life - 90% of adult brain development and growth occurs in the first 5 years.

A range of services provide what is called 'early childhood education and care'. These include:

  • long day care (often known as child care)
  • family day care
  • early learning centres
  • children's centres
  • preschool (often known as kindy or kindergarten).

The Royal Commission will focus on how these services can support all children to succeed, as well as looking at preschool for 3-year-old children and the supports families might need to access quality education and care, including out of school hours care at all ages.

Learn more about the Royal Commission and the current early years system on the Royal Commission website.

Get involved

OSHC providers and staff

The Royal Commission wants to hear from OSHC providers, OSHC Directors, school staff and school governing council members about the opportunities and challenges for OSHC in South Australia.

The Royal Commission is interesting in hearing:

  • What do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges to expanding OSHC services?
  • What are the issues that are unique to rural, regional and small schools when expanding OSHC services?
  • How does the current regulation of OSHC impact the operation and expansion of services?
  • What are the opportunities for OSHC for preschool age children?

Have your say by reading our OSHC issues paper and then taking our survey.

Parents, caregivers and families

The Royal Commission heard from parents and caregivers across South Australia via our survey. Their input will be incorporated into the Final Report due in August.

Other ways to contribute

To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter.

You can also contact the Royal Commission by:

What are the next steps?

The Royal Commission is expected to run until mid-to-late 2023.

The Royal Commission will also speak with educators, experts, unions and service providers to develop the policy options to make South Australia's early childhood education and care system one that lays a strong foundation for all children.

The Commission's Interim Report focusing on 3-year-old preschool delivery has been delivered and the Final Report will be released by the end of August 2023.

The Government will then consider the report and the recommendations, and look at how to implement them.

Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

  • Consultation update

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    The Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care released it's Final Report on 27 August 2023.

    The report includes 43 recommendations and provides a roadmap for:

    • A universal but not uniform system that means help gets where it is needed, from birth through to the school years

    • Higher quality early childhood and OSHC services, irrespective of postcode or who is providing the service

    • A long-term vision for South Australia to be a nation leader in early childhood development, bringing together best practice, research and data.

    Read more about the Final Report and the recommendations on the Royal Commission's website.

    The Royal Commission officially concluded on 31 August 2023. From here, the Government of South Australia will consider the recommendations and provide a formal response.

  • OSHC survey opens

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    The Royal Commission wants to hear from OSHC providers, OSHC Directors, school staff and school governing council members about the opportunities and challenges for OSHC in South Australia.

    Out-of-school-hours-care (OSHC) is an important part of the framework that supports children and families, but we know that it is not always readily available for primary school aged children, and is even less available for children in preschool.

    The Royal Commission wants to understand the perspective of both public and private sector providers of OSHC, and what opportunities and challenges they see in the expansion of OSHC in South Australia.

    The Royal Commission is asking you to share:

    • What do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges to expanding OSHC services?
    • What are the issues that are unique to rural, regional and small schools when expanding OSHC services?
    • How does the current regulation of OSHC impact the operation and expansion of services?
    • What are the opportunities for OSHC for preschool age children?

    Take the OSHC survey

  • Interim Report released

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    The Royal Commission has released its Interim Report.

    The Commission has heard from researchers, experts, providers and families about the importance of high-quality early childhood education and care.

    The report recognises the vital role between early childhood services and the families and communities they serve, connecting families to supports that are far beyond early learning. There is an opportunity for government to invest in these supports to ensure there are no barriers for children to accessing their learning entitlement.

    The report outlines a pathway for 15 hours a week of high-quality preschool for all South Australian children from the age of 3, rolling out from 2026.

    Visit the Royal Commission's website to read the full report.

  • Final call for submissions now open

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    The Royal Commission is now calling for submissions on key areas under the Terms of Reference.

    To help the Royal Commission shape its inquiries, there are a number of guiding questions you may wish to consider in drafting your submission.

    This call will close on Friday 19 May 2023.

    Visit the Royal Commission website for more information.

  • Parent and carer online forums

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    The Royal Commissioner wants to hear directly from parents and carers and their experiences within the early childhood and education care system.

    We know the important role early education and care can provide to support little children’s best start for their journey of learning and development.

    An online forum is being held at 5.30pm on Tuesday 31 January 2023 to help shape a new early education and care system in South Australia for your children.

    We want to hear your views about:

    • What makes a quality early childhood education and care service?
    • What are the important factors you consider before you either have or are considering enrolling your child in preschool?

    Visit the Royal Commission's website to learn how you can participate.

  • Public hearings taking place

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    The Royal Commission will hold its first round of hearings on Wednesday 25 January 2023 and Friday 27 January 2023.

    The purpose of these initial hearings is to build a picture with respect to current early childhood education and care in South Australia along with a consideration of the impact of early childhood education and care on child development.

    Visit the Royal Commission website to watch the public hearings online and view the submissions from expert witnesses.

  • Stakeholder roundtables announced

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    The Royal Commission will convene two stakeholder roundtables, bringing together experts and service providers in early childhood development, education and policy.

    The purpose of the roundtables is to:

    • discuss the role of ECEC in supporting children, parents and carers in a child’s first 1000 days
    • consider what the commitment to 3-year-old preschool means for South Australian children, families, educators and providers.


    A stakeholder roundtable to discuss opportunities in Out of School Hours Care will be convened in 2023, and key stakeholders will be invited to participate in those discussions.

    Visit the Royal Commission website to learn more about the roundtables and see the list of participants.

  • 3-year-old preschool submissions now open

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    The Royal Commission is now calling for submissions about the development of universal 3-year-old preschool.

    The Royal Commission intends to make findings that will define 3-year-old preschool and the term ‘universal’. Part of the Royal Commission's inquiries will also include:

    • questions of sector analysis and capacity (both government and non-government)
    • delivery models
    • workforce
    • opportunities for innovation
    • an implementation pathway.


    There are a number of guiding questions to help shape submissions and assist the Royal Commission to identify issues, trends and opportunities.

    Visit the Royal Commission website for more information.

  • Expert Advisory Group appointed

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    The members of the Royal Commission Expert Advisory Group (EAG) have now been appointed.

    Chaired by the Royal Commissioner, the Hon Julia Gillard AC, the EAG will advise the Commissioner and help shape the areas of inquiry.

    As experts in their respective fields, each member will play an important role in ensuring the Royal Commission’s findings reflect the most contemporary thinking in early childhood education and care policy, operations and outcomes.

    Members of the EAG:

    • Dr Anne Glover AO
    • Professor Sally Brinkman, University of South Australia
    • Professor Leslie Loble AM
    • Dr Danielle Wood, Grattan Institute
    • Commissioner April Lawrie, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People (SA)
    • Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM
    • Professor Brett McDermott, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Tasmania

    Learn more about the EAG on the Royal Commission website.