The vital importance of the early years
Quality early education shapes your child’s future and lays a strong foundation for developing skills that are key to succeeding in school and later in life.
Learning begins from the moment your child is born. So, choosing the BEST education and care for your child is VITAL.
Why long day care?
- Children learn to socialise and interact with other children, preparing them for school and beyond
- Long day care services deliver an educational program based on a government-approved guideline, therefore children LEARN through their play as they are cared for
- Long day care services are licensed facilities, and all staff have relevant tertiary qualifications and experience – qualified educators make a BIG difference
- Diverse resources, experiences and environments
- Safe and secure, highly regulated educational environments where children from all age groups (up to school) learn through play
- Approved long day care services must meet national quality standards
- Families using a long day care service may be eligible for government subsidies
- Convenient opening hours
Useful links
Check out some of these websites to learn more about the importance of the early years.
Government
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)
Every three years since 2009, the Australian Government has undertaken a census of all children in their first year of full-time schooling. This information is used to identify communities where families and children may require extra support and to help shape the future and wellbeing of Australian children.
Australian Government Department of Education and Training
Through a range of policies and programs, the Department of Education and Training helps to provide families with access to quality early childhood education.
Parents and other carers have a key role in preventing and responding to bullying.
Deadly Kindies is a collaboration between the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and the Queensland Government Department of Education and Training.
The initiative is designed to highlight the importance of Kindergarten in early childhood education and encourage attendance.
Queensland Department of Education
The Queensland Department of Education regulates and assesses early childhood education services. You can contact the regulatory authority if you are looking for more information about a particular service, including if you want to make a complaint.
Starting Blocks provides parents with information about early childhood education and care to help them make the best choice for their child and family.
Other
Australian Institute of Family Studies
The Australian Institute of Family Studies is a national research and information agency on children and families in Australia. Includes research, publications, online library, and further links and resources for professionals.
Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth
The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) is a national collaboration of eminent experts disseminating knowledge about problems and solutions to issues affecting children and young people.
Centre for Community Child Health
The Centre for Community Child Health is an internationally recognised centre of excellence supporting and empowering communities to continually improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of children and their families, now and for the future.
Early Childhood Intervention Australia
Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) is a national forum for promotion of early intervention for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families, including workshops, seminars and conferences to facilitate quality service provision.
Helplines and telephone counselling services for children, young people and parents
This resource is designed to provide practitioners and service providers with the contact details and links to helplines and telephone counselling services for children, young people and adults.
In 1988 to combat drowning, our patron, Laurie Lawrence created the Kids Alive – Do the Five water safety program. The Kids Alive community service program educates the public on five important steps to reduce the risk of preschool drowning.
Kidsafe Australia is an independent, charitable organisation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional death and serious injury to children aged 0 – 15 years.
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute is dedicated to finding ways to prevent and treat conditions affecting babies, children and adolescents, helping them lead happy, healthy lives. The Institute has close partnerships with the Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne.
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
The Secretariat of National Aborginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
The Raising Children Network website provides tips and tools for everyday parenting from pregnancy to teens.
Zero to Three is a non-profit organization in the United States that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and the know-how to nurture early development. Its mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.