Universal early childhood education and care system key to positive health outcomes

20 September 2024

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s (PC) final report from its early childhood education and care inquiry [1] and has urged decision-makers to consult with paediatric health experts in developing a policy response.

Professor Nitin Kapur, President of the RACP's Paediatric and Child Health Division, said that the RACP was pleased to see the PC recognise the importance of access to high-quality learning and care in the early years of a child’s life.

“As experts in children’s health and wellbeing, we have long advocated for universal access to early childhood education and care [2] because we recognise the profound positive impact it can have on children’s lives.

“Access to high-quality learning and care in the early years can help boost health, social and cognitive development outcomes for children, and ensure that they start school ready.

“The benefits of high-quality early learning and care are even more profound for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children with disability.

“Greater access to care, learning and support in the early years can yield lifelong positive outcomes, and for vulnerable children, it can break the cycle of disadvantage.

“There’s also ample evidence that shows that investment in children’s health, development and wellbeing is the most cost-effective means of tackling long-term health conditions and health inequity [3].

“Given how crucial this period is in children’s life trajectory, the RACP believes that medical experts should have a greater role in shaping early years policy.

“The RACP strongly encourages the Government to engage in a consultation process with paediatric experts, to ensure that any policy response to the PC report, also focuses on health and wellbeing needs.

“Earlier this year, the Department of Social Services released the Early Years Strategy and is currently working on developing specific action plans – we’ve stressed that these must be developed in consultation with paediatric experts as well [4].

“In the long-term, we’ve also called for the creation of the role of a Chief Paediatrician [5], who would provide clinical leadership and expert advice on policies impacting the lives of children.

“The PC report also correctly identifies that there are many barriers that currently prevent families and children, particularly from vulnerable backgrounds, from accessing early learning.

“We support measures that will make early learning more accessible by reducing costs and offering greater flexibility to families [6].

“The early years are in many aspects the most important time in children’s lives from a health perspective.

“It is therefore important that paediatricians and other childhood health experts are involved in shaping policy that impact children’s lives,” Professor Kapur said.

[1] Productivity Commission – Final Report – Early Childhood Education Inquiry

[2] RACP – Kids Catch-up Campaign – Universal Access

[3] RACP – Position Statement – Importance of the Early Years

[4] RACP Submission – Early Years Strategy

[5] RACP – Kids Catch-up Campaign – Chief Paediatrician

[6] RACP Submission – Thrive by Five Early Childhood Guarantee Bill

 

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