Independent Schools Australia welcomes the Early Years Strategy’s vision that all children have the opportunity from birth to reach their full potential and be nurtured, as well as have a sense of connection and belonging as part of a strong community.
Independent Schools Australia welcomes the Early Years Strategy’s vision that all children have the opportunity from birth to reach their full potential and be nurtured, as well as have a sense of connection and belonging as part of a strong community.
ISA Chief Executive Officer Graham Catt said the early childhood system has long been fragmented, difficult to navigate, extremely complex with a siloed approach across government programs, jurisdictions and agencies.
“We strongly support the Strategy’s priority areas for a more accountable and coordinated approach to early childhood health, education and care to enable young children to thrive and to help their families understand what supports are available,” Mr Catt said following the release of the Australian Government’s Strategy.
Mr Catt said ISA, which was part of the consultation process, supported the Strategy’s four priority areas of; valuing the early years; empowering parents, caregivers and families; supporting and working with communities; strengthening accountability and coordination.
“It will require collective effort to achieve the vision of the Strategy and ISA would like to see states and territories work closely with the Australian Government to ensure the Strategy’s vision is in fact achieved,” Mr Catt said “This means the early childhood system must be coordinated effectively, with planned action, funding and both the health and education sectors working together in an integrated manner.
“We look forward to seeing how the action plans are developed that will ensure the Strategy and 10-year proposed framework actually do make a difference.”
ISA is the national peak body representing 1,216 Independent schools with close to 720,000 enrolled students, accounting for approximately 17 per cent of Australian school enrolments and a workforce of 122,000 people. Independent schools are diverse, serving a range of different communities across Australia. ISA estimates that two thirds of Independent schools, or around 800, have provision for early childhood services.
For more information – www.isa.edu.au