Victoria's plan to improve outcomes in early childhood

On 14 July 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reaffirmed its commitment to the National Reform Agenda. COAG also agreed that early childhood and child care should be initial priority human capital reform areas.

International experiences show that investment in the early years of life delivers particularly strong returns for the community through successful outcomes and reduced need for costly interventions in later life. Enhancing the early childhood experience of Victoria’s youngest children will increase labour market participation; support men and women to balance work and family responsibilities; and combat the impact of demographic change.

On 10 April 2007, Victoria released its plan for improving outcomes in early childhood. The paper sets out a ten year vision for the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to work together to:

• improve antenatal services;
• strengthen the health, development and learning of all children from birth to five years;
• enhance the provision of early childhood education and care services in Victoria; and
• improve the early years workforce.

The most efficient way to ensure these initiatives are co-ordinated across levels of government is to create an integrated approach to government investment. Reform set out in the plan could lead to significant future fiscal benefits to governments – the majority of which would flow to the Commonwealth.

Since COAG agreed on the National Reform Agenda in February 2006, Victoria has committed $136 million in new funds over four years to boost outcomes in early childhood. At the July 2006 COAG meeting the Commonwealth confirmed it agreed to a fair sharing of costs and benefits of reform. To ensure this, the Commonwealth would need to contribute $250 million over the first four years towards this plan, some of this in areas within their direct responsibility.

All governments need to work together to help our children achieve the best possible start in life.

View Victoria's Plan to improve outcomes in early childhood (PDF 664kb)
This paper follows the releases of Victoria's plan to address the growing impact of obesity and type 2 diabetes and Victoria's plan to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, which set out Victoria’s responses to the COAG’s two other human capital reform priority areas.

The Victorian Government looks forward to Commonwealth Government cooperation to progress this plan and secure the best start in life for Victoria’s children.


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