Getting the foundations right:
A new policy agenda for early
childhood education and care

With the increasing focus on productivity, participation and social inclusion, early childhood has emerged as a key area for policy reform and national debate. The younger years of a child’s life are critical, with the earliest experiences laying the foundations for future life, learning and development outcomes. Early childhood education and care services play a crucial role both in supporting child development, and enabling workforce participation and economic engagement.

PwC’s report, A practical vision for early childhood education and care, developed in collaboration with some of the world’s leading experts in early childhood, outlines a new Australian policy agenda that proposes greater access to early childhood education and care services for families and their children. The agenda envisages an integrated system that builds on the strengths of the existing approach while moving towards unified funding for these services; a strategic role for governments in ensuring access; and a level of public investment that is commensurate with the public value of early childhood education and care.