SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE SCHOOL ORGANISATIONS
Supporting schools, governing councils and state education through training, advice and advocacy
SA Curriculum Frameworks Ref Group: Early Years
Representative: Elisabeth Reich
Children from birth to 8 years of age are the main focus of the Early Years Learning Framework, and the Reference Group develops the framework from research, through consultation, trialing and validation and implementation. Implementation will take place from July 2009.
The Learning Framework comprises part of the National Quality Framework and aims to assist children to actively participate in relationships and communities while being confident and involved learners.
SAASSO has played a major role in the last year in supporting this program and has informed the group on parent information leaflets.
Meetings are held quarterly.
In 2009:
The National Agenda for Early Childhood and the development of the National Curriculum are current priorities for this group.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to consider a number of proposals for quality reforms to early childhood education and child care. Public consultations on these proposals is now underway, and will continue through to 31 August 2009.
A consultation Regulation Impact Statement has been released which sets out the reasons why we need to strengthen the quality of early childhood education and care, explains the changes under consideration, assesses the relative costs and benefits of each of the options and sets out the consultation process.
There are several websites where more information can be found:
www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood
http://www.earlyyears.sa.edu.au/
http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/curric/
http://www.learningtolearn.sa.edu.au/
Regulation Impact Statement
SUMMARY OF COAG OPTIONS AND ESTIMATES OF COSTS
Modelling of the likely ‘out of pocket’ cost increases for families (per child, per week) of the COAG options is summarised here. These estimates assume a family with combined income of $80,000 per annum using 30 hours care per week, and allow for the effect of the Australian Government’s 50% child care tax rebate. In Options 2 – 4, estimates include the estimated effect of changes proposed to minimum staff qualifications.
These are national average ‘out of pocket’ estimates. Actual increases will vary from service to service, and from State to State, depending on arrangements currently in place. Please see the consultation Regulation Impact Statement for the full description of each option and associated likely ‘out of pocket’ increases.
Options for Long Day Care (LDC) and Preschool
Under Option 1 (no COAG policy change), States and Territories will continue to set staff-to-child ratios and qualifications requirements. Lower staff-to-child ratios in LDC have already been announced in some States.
Estimated ‘out of pocket’ increases (per child, per week) under Option 1 are:
It is anticipated that, even without any national quality changes, the increase will build up over ten years, from $1.32 in 2011 to $5.76 in 2020.
Option 2 Staff to child ratios of 1:4 (0-24 mths), 1:5 (25-35 mths) by end 2015 and 1:11 (36mths to school age) by end 2016.
Estimated ‘out of pocket’ increases (per child, per week) under Option 2 are:
As implementation is gradual, the increase in costs will build up over ten years, from $2.24 in 2011 to $11.79 in 2020.
Option 3 Staff to child ratios of 1:4 (0-24 mths) by end 2011, 1:5 (25-35 mths) by end 2014 and 1:11 (36mths to school age) by end 2015.
Estimated ‘out of pocket’ increases (per child, per week) under Option 3 are:
As implementation is gradual, the increase in costs will build up over ten years, from $2.49 in 2011 to $11.79 in 2020.
Option 4 Staff to child ratios of 1:4 (0-24 mths) by end 2010 (1:3 by end 2020), 1:5 (25-35 mths) by end 2015 and 1:10 (36mths to school age) by end 2013.
Estimated ‘out of pocket’ increases (per child, per week) under Option 4 are:
As implementation is gradual, the increase in costs will build up over time, from $4.07 in 2011 to $17.55 in 2020.
Options for Family Day Care
Under Option 1, there will be no COAG policy change, with States and Territories able to set carer to child ratios and carer qualifications.
Under Option 2, there would be a carer-to-child ratio of 1:7, with a maximum of four children under school age. Carers would be required to have a Certificate III and coordinators a Diploma qualification.
Many jurisdictions already operate at this ratio, and the current modelling suggests little change in costs as a result of this proposal.