CHILDREN’S WEEK IDEAL TIME TO FOCUS ON FAMILIES

26-October-2009

24 October-1 November 2009 is National Children’s Week and I wholeheartedly agree with the underlying principle of the week which is to celebrate the right of children to enjoy their childhood, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare, Women and Youth Sophie Mirabella said today.

 “This is an ideal time to evaluate and re-focus our efforts when it comes to early childhood and community support programs for parents.  Governments at all levels need to redouble their efforts to provide support services, advice and practical programs to help parents with young children, Mrs Mirabella said.

 “Studies show that the first years of life are most crucial in terms of long-term health and development. Investing in early childhood makes good economic sense – it means that we won’t have to outlay as much in the future trying to address problems that arise in later life.” 

 Mrs Mirabella said that the Rudd Government had been “full of rhetoric on early childhood”, but had produced few practical results when it comes to supporting children’s services.

 “There’s been a lot of talking at COAG, but little practical help on the ground for families.  In fact:

·         Childcare operators have been thrown into turmoil by the Government’s planned changes to ratios and staff qualifications;

·         Parents, who will have to foot the bill, haven’t been consulted and don’t know what benefits will actually result from the changes;

·         The Government has backed away from it’s election promise to build 260 new Centres, with just a handful underway;

·         The Government has refused to release vacancy data to allow the industry to plan for the future;

·         It has been revealed the election promise of “universal access” to preschool for all 4 year olds does not mean free, government-funded preschool for all; and

·         The Minister has admitted that childcare costs will rise for parents – which represents another broken promise!”

 “It’s important the Rudd Government, with its reckless spending programs, doesn’t lose sight of the fact that the most valuable support system in the world is the family – strong, cohesive families lay the foundation for happy, healthy children and stronger local communities.”

 “Squandering $16.6 billion on the Julia Gillard Memorial School Halls programme is not a legitimate way to spend public funds when just a fraction of this could be used to fund vital programmes.” 

 “Early intervention programs to help teach parenting skills, health and education campaigns on prenatal care, community support programs for children and families at risk, and affordable childcare and preschool services – these are all vital.”

 Mrs Mirabella said Children’s Week was an ideal time to recognise the valuable work that parents do in raising their children, and the ongoing role of grandparents and other family members and carers.