- Published:
- Thursday 5 March 2015
Early Education Ministers from key states have come together, calling on Tony Abbott to commit to funding 15 hours of kindergarten.
Meeting at the Education Council, state and territory Ministers said Australian children should receive 15 hours of quality, affordable kindergarten per week in the vital year before school.
The Productivity Commission found that 15 hours of kindergarten is essential to boosting preschool participation, supporting children’s development and improving school readiness, and recommended the Federal Government continue to provide funding.
The Early Education Ministers, from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, emphasised the urgent need for the Federal Government to commit to ongoing funding to give kindergartens certainty as they plan for 2016.
Ministers noted that the quality of, and access to, early childhood education had significantly improved since 15 hours of kindergarten became the national standard and will improve Australia’s productivity and global competitiveness.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos
“Victoria stands alongside states and territories across the country, calling for 15 hours of kindergarten to be funded and protected.”
“The Prime Minister must end the uncertainty for Victorian parents and kinders and commit to funding 15 hours of kindergarten.”
“All children deserve access to high-quality, affordable early education and care.”