SYKES SUPPORTS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has welcomed the recently released report into early childhood education which highlights the need for higher priority to be given by government and the community to early childhood education.

Dr Sykes said “The Kindergarten Parents Victoria Inc have released Vision 2011: A vision for early childhood education, a report focusing on the need to prepare children for life by providing accessible and quality early childhood education.”

“Vision 2011 highlights the need for early childhood education to be given higher priority if our children are to receive the best start in life.”

“It is well known that the early years are critical in enhancing children’s wellbeing and life chances and for determining the make-up and attitudes of that individual later in life,” Dr Sykes continued.

The report specifies six goals for early childhood education to prepare children for life, these are: recognition of the importance of quality early childhood education in improving life chances; well resourced and accessible early childhood education for all children; a coordinated and multi-disciplinary system; a partnership between professionals, parents, families and children; higher standards of teaching and programs; and, programs that are adaptive to contemporary needs.

Dr Sykes said Vision 2011 calls on government to increase investment in early childhood education to improve the quality of services provided and to ensure services are accessible to children.

“The report forecasts outcomes for the implementation of changes to our current system. These include availability of affordable four-year-old kindergarten education programs for a minimum of 12 hours weekly, as well as three-year-old kindergarten education programs for a minimum of six hours weekly. The report also focuses on solving problems that create barriers to early childhood education to disadvantaged groups.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage the Bracks Government to take on board the details of the report and ensure that early childhood education becomes a priority, for the benefit of our future.”

“The Nationals will also continue to press for the inclusion of kindergartens into the Department of Education and for the salaries of kindergarten teachers to be more comparable with primary school teachers.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989