Parents and carers are being called on to have their say on the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year by 2030.
Issuing the call, Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said the public consultation, open until 14 October, would support the design and development of processes to drive change in early childhood education.
Ms Mitchell said the State’s Early Years Commitment would also support the creation of more childcare places through the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund.
“This is an exciting first step towards transforming early childhood education and care in NSW as we know it,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We are calling on families and educators to provide their feedback on what they need in their local communities, and to share their views on what they want for the future of our youngest children,” she said.
“This is the initial consultation with the public, and over the next few months we will share more detailed plans for further consultation for those interested in these programs.”
Ms Mitchell said the consultation asked the community what features or components a universal pre-Kindergarten year should include; what challenges and barriers could interfere with the goal; and how parents and carers would like to be involved in the design, testing and delivery of a pre-Kindergarten year.
She said the Department of Education also wanted to hear about the main issues currently faced by the early childhood education and care sector.
“I look forward to reviewing the submissions and working hard so that we have an early childhood education system that is above anything Australia has seen.”
Further information on the proposed universal pre-kinder year can be accessed at this PS News link.
