Government urged to act on universal childcare call

Reaction has been positive to a new Productivity Commission interim report recommending the federal government implement universal childcare for children five and under.

“Vulnerable and disadvantaged children benefit the most from quality early childhood education and care, but they are currently the least likely to attend.”

– Productivity Commission associate commissioner Deborah Brennan

“The Productivity Commission;'s inquiry will help chart a course to a universal early childhood education and care system.”

– Education Minister Jason Clare

“A focus must be on how we can drive accessibility and affordability for all families, whilst building a strong workforce of highly skilled early childhood educators and teachers. This cannot come at an increased cost to families.”

– Australian Childcare Alliance President Paul Mondo

“At first glance, it is heartening to see a focus on critical aspects such as activity test relaxation, 100 per cent subsidy for low incomes, thin market measures for rural, regional, and remote areas, and workforce measures.”

– The Parenthood chief executive Jessica Rudd

” We think (the) draft Productivity Commission report into child care gets it right with its recommendation that Australia's Family Assistance Law be amended to allow dedicated preschools to claim the child care subsidy for additional non-preschool hours.”

– Early Learning Association Australia chief executive Andrew Cameron

“The Productivity Commission has also highlighted the importance that early childhood services be inclusive, integrated and available for all families regardless of where they live or individual needs and circumstances.”

– Thrive By Five director Jay Weatherill

“We encourage the Productivity Commission to be ambitious in its final recommendations to deliver on the government's commitments to build a truly universal, high quality system Australian families and children can rely on.”

– Centre for Policy Development's Early Childhood Development Council professor Leslie Loble