The Albanese and McGowan Labor Governments are ensuring no child in Western Australia is left behind, working together to boost access to early childhood education.

This follows the recent appointment of Western Australian MLA Sabine Winton as the Minister for the newly created Early Childhood Education portfolio.

Today, the new State Minister and Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, Dr Anne Aly MP and the Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts toured an early childhood education centre in Tapping, Western Australia. 

Quality early childhood education and care plays a critical role in supporting outcomes in early years development, school readiness and successes later in life.

The creation of a dedicated Early Childhood Education portfolio in Western Australia highlights the McGowan Government’s commitment to working with the Albanese Government in achieving these outcomes.

From July 1st, 2023, the Albanese Government’s landmark reforms will make early childhood education and care more affordable for around 1.26 million families, including more than 86,000 families in Western Australia.

The reforms will help support more First Nations children by ensuring up to 36 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care a fortnight.

This is a positive step in our work to Close the Gap, in partnership with First Nations people to improve early childhood outcomes.

The first five years of a child’s life sets the foundation for children’s future life outcomes, including their learning, health, and wellbeing.

The Albanese Government is working with the McGowan Government as well as other states and territories to develop a shared long-term vision for early childhood education and care, designed around the principles of equity, accessibility, affordability, and quality.

This includes working in partnership with states, territories, and the sector to improve the attraction, retention, and sustainability of the workforce.

The early childhood sector will benefit from commitments from the Albanese and McGowan Governments for fee free TAFE places – including in early childhood education and care.

The McGowan Government has also launched a new Early Childhood Education and Care Job Ready Program. This program was developed in collaboration with WA industries to deliver short, sharp training for job seekers and young people and to introduce participants to the working environment of an early childhood educator.

The program complements other training and workforce initiatives introduced by the McGowan Government to support the sector. This includes $1 million in local government grants to assist with attracting and retaining early childhood educators, significantly reduced course fees for Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and low-fee existing working traineeships for early childhood teachers.

Further to this, the Albanese Government is making an additional 1,469 university places available next year for early childhood teachers across Australia.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly

“I’m delighted to be working with WA’s first dedicated Minister for Early Childhood Education, Sabine Winton, to deliver more accessible early years education in the West.”

“We’re ensuring all children, no matter their background, postcode or family circumstance, have the best possible start in life with access to quality early childhood education.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Sabine Winton

“As a teacher of 27 years in various metropolitan, regional and remote locations across Western Australia, I understand firsthand how important the early stages of a child’s life are and the need for quality early childhood education.

“I look forward to working with Minister Aly and representing Western Australia to ensure stronger and more accessible learning and development opportunities for our children."