The Parenthood

It’s been a busy week for The Parenthood as we continue to advocate for change! We had productive meetings in Canberra discussing the findings of our new report, IMPACTFUL, alongside Zachary Whale from Grain Growers with Jason Clare, Anne Webster, and other key decision-makers. Our report sheds light on the urgent need for accessible and affordable early childhood education and care (ECEC) in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Months of research and community engagement have highlighted the significant gaps in services and their impact on children, families, and the future of these communities. We’ll keep pushing for solutions—because every child deserves access to quality ECEC. Read the report here: https://buff.ly/3Xj2hci

A study of early childhood education in developed countries has highlighted the need for reform in Australia, where data shows families from wealthy suburbs have far better access to services than those living in disadvantaged areas. Analysis by an international team of researchers – including Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute – showed Australia’s profit-driven system encouraged childcare providers to establish services in affluent neighbourhoods, where they can charge up to $200 a day. Australia came fourth out of nine developed countries for childcare accessibility, after the Nordic nations, in the study’s rankings. The Productivity Commission has modelled the provision of a 90 per cent rebate for all families as part of a review of the sector. Early Childhood Education Minister Dr. Anne Aly said on Thursday that universal systems overseas would help inform the government’s response to the review, which would soon be made public. Aly said the current system was a “behemoth” of for-profit and not-for profit care, yet some families still had limited access to early childhood education. Access to early childhood education shouldn’t be determined by where you live or how much you can afford,” the report stresses. “We need a system that ensures every child, no matter their background, has the opportunity to thrive. The report serves as a wake-up call, highlighting that while progress has been made, there is much more to do to ensure that early childhood education in Australia is accessible, affordable, and equitable. https://lnkd.in/gMi59csm

The long-term financial security of parents, particularly mothers, in their retirement years, is threatened by the Coalition’s proposed changes to the Paid Parental Leave Bill, says The Parenthood. Earlier this year, the Australian Labor Party pledged to include 12 per cent superannuation on publicly funded paid parental leave from July 2025 to close the retirement savings gap between men and women. Under the Coalition’s proposal, parents would be able to choose to receive a superannuation payment, take extra weeks off work, or receive a $2,900 lump sum payment at the time of their child’s birth.  CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent said that the advocacy organisation supports extending paid parental leave beyond the 26 weeks already announced, but not at the cost of superannuation. “The inclusion of super on paid parental leave is specifically designed to boost the retirement savings for parents – mums in particular,” said Ms Dent. “Aside from being inflationary, a lump sum payment would not include compounded interest, leaving many parents who choose to take it thousands of dollars worse off in the long-term. “Paying superannuation on paid parental leave could mean as much as $30,000 extra in retirement savings per family, per child. A $2,900 one-off payment will not compensate for this. “Further, it risks functioning as a band-aid solution to the financial insecurity that many young families find themselves up against due to the high cost of living.” The OECD - OCDE released a report today - a day following the Coalition’s proposal - which found that Australian parents face a longer-than-average ‘childcare gap’. There is an average of four years between the end of paid parental leave and the start of publicly funded early education in Australia, compared to countries such as the UK, where there are only two, and New Zealand, where there are only three. “This has long-term impacts on parents’ financial wellbeing. In the five years after women have children, their earning potential drops by 55 per cent and often never fully recovers. Investing in superannuation and the retirement years has never been more important. “Labor’s reforms to paid parental leave – both its expansion to 26 weeks and the inclusion of superannuation on parental leave payments – aims to systematically redress the financial disadvantage mothers experience. The Coalition’s proposal would undermine this,” said Georgie in our media release. https://lnkd.in/g5vnbtMt

Regional, rural and remote parents are on the brink of burnout due to the lack of early childhood education in their communities. A new poll by The Parenthood finds that 86 per cent of families from regional, rural and remote communities struggling to access early learning services face financial stress. Governments can fix this. Early childhood education cannot be left to the private sector alone. Private providers aren’t setting up shop in many country towns because there’s no guarantee of a profit. But early childhood education and care is an essential service that children, families and communities need. Access to early childhood education and care should not depend on your postcode, or how much you earn. Governments must step up to take the pressure off of regional, rural and remote parents and make sure their families are no longer disadvantaged. Find out more in our new report: https://lnkd.in/gARfxQTy

Maddy Butler, Campaign Director at The Parenthood, spoke to ABC Landline about our new report - Impactful. "We want to see the regions thriving and it really does start with access to early childhood education and care." The report shows shows that most parents in regional, rural, and remote areas are facing financial strain due to the lack of accessible early childhood education and care (ECEC). Many parents and carers, needing paid work amid rising living costs, are unable to work without ECEC options. This crisis is impacting not just families but whole communities, with essential workers unable to provide critical services and children starting school unprepared, missing out on key developmental benefits. Families are resorting to unsustainable solutions like long commutes, night shifts, and sacrificing career and community connections. The effects extend beyond families, impacting entire regions and, ultimately, the nation. While the Federal Government has committed to universal early learning, solutions must be tailored to local needs with meaningful community consultation. There is no one-size-fits-all fix, and federal, state, and territory governments must collaborate to ensure every region has equitable access to quality early learning services. Watch the full report on ABC Landline here: https://lnkd.in/gMVm3-3J

It was great to discuss the findings of our new report - Impactful - alongside Zachary Whale from Grain Growers Limited with Jason Clare MP, Dr Anne Webster, and other decision makers in Canberra today. The report delves into the urgent need for accessible and affordable early childhood education and care (ECEC) in regional, rural and remote Australia. IMPACTFUL is the culmination of months of research and on-the-ground engagement with regional, rural and remote communities, highlighting the significant gaps in ECEC services and their widespread effects on children, families, and communities. IMPACTFUL draws on the experiences of 162 parents, carers, educators and community leaders, as well as insights from an online poll of 855 individuals and a comprehensive review of relevant literature. The findings are clear: the lack of ECEC services is severely impacting the social and economic fabric of these regions, limiting opportunities for children, placing financial strain on families and weakening liveability in the regions. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/gsgCX7bq

Early learning shortages are hitting regional, rural, and remote communities hard. A recent poll by The Parenthood found that 86% of families in these areas are experiencing significant financial stress due to limited access to early learning services. Parents are being pushed to the brink, juggling long waitlists, rising costs, and the challenge of balancing work and caring responsibilities. As Maddy Butler, Campaign Director at The Parenthood, highlights: "Country towns are no longer the affordable and relaxed places to raise children they once were. Having more accessible early learning services has the power to change that." The lack of early childhood education and care not only affects families but also impacts entire communities. Essential workers like nurses and teachers are being forced to cut their hours or leave their jobs, putting strain on local economies and services. "Access to early learning should not depend on your postcode or income level. Governments must step up and ensure that regional, rural, and remote families are no longer disadvantaged," says Maddy. Better access to early learning services is crucial for the wellbeing of families, businesses, and our wider economy. 🔗 Read more in our full report: https://lnkd.in/gARfxQTy

Imagine living in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty? For so many in the world right now this isn't just a distant image or headline in the news, it's their daily reality. There is no one more vulnerable in the face of genocide, war and conflicts around the globe than children. From Ukraine to Palestine to Yemen to South Sudan, the list of war zones is long, and the pain children and families endure is unimaginable. Think about a child you know, full of curiosity and a thirst for life. A love of their family, their place, their belonging. Now consider that UNICEF estimates that over 43.3 million children globally have been displaced because of violence and conflict. Every child has the right to feel safe. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has the right to: 👉Live and grow up healthy. 👉Safety, no matter where they are. 👉Care, protection, and a home. 👉Education, play, and participation in cultural activities. 👉Receive help and protection when needed. 👉Despite near-universal ratification of this international treaty, countless children are denied these rights. And this isn't just a problem in "other countries." Here in Australia, children struggle with homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, hunger, incarceration, trauma, neglect and worse. The rights of every child matters. In different ways, in different parts of the world the rights of too many children are being denied. Sometimes systematically, in the most inhumane ways imaginable. The plight of children is a global issue demanding our immediate attention and compassion. As a community, a nation, we have a responsibility to make these rights a reality for every child, not just a promise on paper. Addressing the needs of children in conflict zones and those facing challenges in Australia reflects our commitment to human dignity and the well-being of future generations. 👉As adults, we have the duty to ensure every child has the chance to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

📢 Dads, it's time for action! 💪 Prominent dads and organisations across Australia have launched the Dads’ Action Plan for the Early Years to push for essential early years reforms. If you're a dad, carer, or parent who wants to see kids thrive by five, add your name and help make a real impact! The Dads' Action Plan calls for: ▶ A national strategy to support fathers' equal role in parenting ▶ Universal access to early childhood education and care ▶ 12 weeks paid paternity leave ▶ Better parenting resources for dads ▶ Incentives for men to become early childhood educators Together, we can show the government that dads want action on the early years. ✍️ Add your name now to show your support! ▶▶▶ https://lnkd.in/gzpb7Akt Dads Group Welcoming Australia Playgroup Victoria University of South Australia Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium The Fathering Project The Wiggles KPMG Australia Support For Fathers University of Newcastle Playgroup NSW SSI Turbans 4 Australia (T4A)

A new report on Australia’s early childhood education and care sector has revealed an alarming shortfall of 21,000 early childhood educators. This shortage is being driven by a combination of low pay, excessive overtime, limited professional development, and high burnout rates. The situation is further complicated by visa challenges faced by migrant workers, who make up a significant portion of the workforce. Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, highlighted the severity of the crisis: "While the low rates of pay have been an enduring feature of this workforce, and that has become more of a problem during a cost-of-living crisis leading to an exodus of people leaving the sector, the 15 per cent wage increase is historic. I don’t think it can be underplayed." This historic 15% pay rise is a critical step forward, yet it’s clear that more must be done to make the sector sustainable. The report from Jobs and Skills Australia underscores the need for comprehensive reforms, including better career progression opportunities, simplified training pathways, and increased recognition of prior experience - particularly for overseas-trained workers. Without these changes, the sector will continue to struggle to attract and retain the skilled professionals needed to meet growing demand. The early childhood education sector is the backbone of our society, enabling parents to work while ensuring children receive the early education they need to thrive. If we fail to support this workforce, the impacts will be felt across every corner of the country, particularly in regional and remote areas where shortages are most acute. It’s time for policymakers, industry leaders, and the community to come together to address these challenges head-on. We must ensure that those who dedicate their lives to caring for and educating our youngest citizens are valued, supported, and adequately compensated. Read Julie Hare's article in The Australian Financial Review here: https://lnkd.in/gw9Ha7yP