The Front Project

Are you looking to transform early learning in Australia? The Apiary Fellowship 2025 is accepting applications now. The Apiary Fellowship is a one-year program that invites early childhood development professionals to collaborate, enhance their leadership, share knowledge and innovate ideas to create a sector that allows children to thrive. We encourage you to invite others in your network who are passionate about transforming the early learning sector to express their interest. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gUsfWB5i

As the end of the year is approaching, the Front Project is proud to reshare our latest research and report collaborations that we’ve released this year. Our reports elaborate significant findings on quality, access, and inclusion in the ECEC sector.  Read our research and reports on our page 🔎 https://lnkd.in/erYgxX6z

The Front Project celebrates today as a significant day for children and families in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that if re-elected all children in Australia will be able to access three days of subsidised early childhood education and care (ECEC), regardless of parent or carer activity. The Government also committed to delivering more ECEC places in unserved and underserved communities via the Building Early Education Fund. This signifies a clear shift in approach from the Commonwealth Government, from watching the ECEC market to actively shaping it to ensure that all children can access affordable, accessible and inclusive ECEC.   Read our media release: https://lnkd.in/dAWgZpG5

The Front Project is a proud to release our latest report from the Educational and Developmental Gains in Early Childhood (EDGE) study "Implementing Large-scale Social Policy Reform: Three-year-old kindergarten roll-out in Victoria." With insights from 36 stakeholders, the report examines the various stages of reform, the key policy processes and mechanisms essential for effective design and implementation, and the relationship between evidence and policy. 🔎 The findings from this study highlight the importance of capacity building, change management and coordination. It also highlights the critical role of consultation and collaboration in order to support reform implementation.   Read more about the complexities and successes of this large-scale social policy reform ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ehvm6NYw cc: REEaCh Centre

“The NQF Works! Implications of AERO's study linking quality and child development” AERO report exposes disparities in access to high-quality ECEC services. This calls for targeted action and a renewed commitment to quality across the ECEC sector.    CEO of the Front Project, Dr. Caroline Croser-Barlow, emphasises that it is important to remember that both quality and access are needed to deliver positive outcomes for children. "This report highlights a clear path forward; by continuing to lift quality across all ECEC services. We must work together to ensure all children in Australia gain the lifelong benefits of quality early learning and can thrive,"  said Dr. Caroline Croser-Barlow.   Download the full policy explainer and the report here: https://lnkd.in/eFjFnnEF

Participate in an online Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) staff survey! 💡 The ECEC Staff National Survey 2024 is open from 4 November to 16 December, conducted by ORIMA Research on behalf of the Australian Government's Department of Education. The survey is for directors, managers, coordinators, educational leaders, teachers and educators working in the ECEC Sector. It intendeds to better understand the perceptions, satisfaction and needs of educators and managers. The findings will inform the Commonwealth Department of Education's attraction and retention strategies for people working in the ECEC sector. Have a say and join the survey here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZcAsMTb Find out more about the ECEC Staff Survey 2024 on ORIMA’s website: https://lnkd.in/gzkPHXvy

The Front Project’s CEO, Dr. Caroline Croser-Barlow, believes the findings from “The NQF Works! Implications of AERO's study linking quality and child development”, reveal invaluable insights for policymakers.    Notably, children who attended services Exceeding the NQS in particular quality areas had measurably improved early child development outcomes. “The research from AERO reveals that the NQF—particularly the quality standards on educational programs, physical environments, and relationships with children—predicts positive children’s development as they enter school. This is gold for policymakers and should be examined closely to help direct future investments,” said Dr. Caroline Croser-Barlow.   Access the full policy explainer and the report here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eFjFnnEF

It’s so rare we reflect on what has worked. Wonderful to hear the Hon Julia Gillard reflect on the work she did with the ECEC sector to improve quality for kids.

Reflecting on the impact of the NQF and the research findings on ECEC from the AERO’s report, the Hon Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister and Commissioner of Early Childhood Education and Care, expressed her support.  Read “The NQF Works!” policy explainer by the Front Project and Deloitte Access Economic here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eFjFnnEF

The Front Project, in partnership with Deloitte Access Economics, are pleased to share a policy explainer: “The NQF Works! Implications of AERO's study linking quality and child development.” The policy explainer, which builds on AERO’s recent report, highlights the essential role of quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) in shaping children’s developmental outcomes. It reveals a clear link between services that Exceed or Meet the National Quality Standard (NQS) and improved developmental outcomes for children, further stressing the value of investing in quality across the ECEC sector.   Read the full policy explainer here: https://lnkd.in/eFjFnnEF Join “The NQF Works!” webinar, coming up soon this afternoon at 12 pm, and unpack findings from the report with panelists experts. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ePG78VWe cc: Lachlan Smirl