The RACP says South Australia’s preschool investment is a big win for child health and development

12 June 2024

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) representing Australia’s paediatricians, has said the South Australian Government’s commitment to expand access to early childhood education with a $715 million investment will improve children’s health and development.

Professor Nitin Kapur, President of the RACP Paediatrics and Child Health Division, said that access to high-quality learning in the early years can help boost cognitive, social and developmental outcomes for children.

“Early childhood education has a profound impact on children’s health and development and the benefits are life-long,” Professor Kapur said.

“Through enabling access to high-quality learning and social interaction in the early years, we can help ensure that children start school ready to learn.

The RACP position statement “Early Childhood: The Importance of the Early Years” [1] highlights the need for a focus on early child development to protect and promote healthy life courses.

“We are really pleased to see that the South Australian Government is implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, led by The Hon Julia Gilliard AC.

“This is something other states and territories can learn from.”

The $715 million investment, announced as part of last week’s state budget, will be spread over five years and aims to make 3-year-old preschool available to all children.

“Evidence shows the importance of including 3-year-old children as two years of early education has proven to have better outcomes compared to just one year. Our Kids Catch Up campaign calls for universal access to quality early childhood education programs for all three-year-olds [2].”

The announcement also includes specific funding for children at greatest risk of developmental vulnerabilities and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

The RACP has long called for governments across all levels to establish dedicated funding models to tackle systemic inequities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, which often begin from childhood.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be underrepresented in Australia’s early childhood education and care system, which has lasting impacts on their health and social outcomes.

“Ensuring that these inequities are addressed in meaningful ways will require governments to implement mechanisms that directly address their root causes and help boost health and social outcomes for First Nations communities.

“We’re encouraged to see that the South Australian Government has taken an important first step in this regard.”

Twenty “integrated hubs” will be set up – with the first two to open in Port Pirie and Adelaide’s northern suburbs – combining education, health and other early childhood services according to specific community needs.

“Breaking down silos is really key here,” Professor Kapur said.

“Children and families don’t think of themselves as being divided into the part that has education needs, the part that has health needs, and so on. We need to start meeting the needs of the whole child.”

[1] RACP: Early Childhood – The Importance of The Early Years

[2] RACP – Kids Catch Up – Universal Access to Early Childhood Education and Care

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