The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
A key objective of First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families is to 'maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised early learning and childcare to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families'.
Among a range of actions in this regard is the updating of the 2001 National Planning Guidelines for the development of Early Learning Childcare settings, in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
This work had begun in 2020 but progress was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials in my Department are in the process of reengaging with this work, in partnership with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. To date this has involved undertaking a review of the 2001 guidelines and the identification of proposed changes to the existing guidelines. A survey of the local authorities is being initiated by the DHPLG and consultation with the local authorities on the proposed changes before public consultation of updated guidelines forms part of future plans.
This will inform the work of my Department in this initial review phase and adds to information captured from the network of City/County Childcare Committees on their views of the existing guidelines.
It is hoped that draft updated guidelines will be available for consultation in 2024.
In addition to these measures, the Childcare Committees will continue to proactively engage with early learning and childcare services to identify unused capacity and explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
