Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth Anne Aly earlier this month toured the McEwen electorate, visiting two childcare and youth services to promote the latest Federal Government reforms.
From July 1, a subsidy increase will be introduced aiming to make early childhood education and care more affordable for more than 1.2 million families across Australia, including more than 6500 in McEwen.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell accompanied Dr Aly on her visit and said the reforms would benefit the fast-growing areas of the electorate.
“As we know, we’ve got one of the fastest-growing communities in the country and we have one of the highest rates of nought to four-year-olds and five to eight-year-olds across the nation,” he said.
“The importance that our government’s putting on early childhood learning is just second to none and it’s a stark contrast to what we’ve had over the past decade where these educators were being treated poorly.
“It’s become so expensive, we have families in Wallan where the cost of early childhood education outdoes their mortgage.”
As part of the visit, Dr Aly visited Mernda Early Learning Centre to see their long day care and kindergarten programs, as well as Woodend’s Youth Live4Life Program, which connects rural and regional communities to improve youth mental health and wellbeing.
Dr Aly said the government was committed to recognising the value of early childhood education and care, as well as the work of childhood educators.
“It’s special to come here [to Mernda] because you witness just how important early childhood learning is,” she said.
“You look at how the kids are thriving and you meet the most dedicated, passionate people you will ever meet in your life, who are professional, they’re knowledgeable, they’re experienced, and they’re doing one of the most important jobs that we have in this country in raising our next generation of children.”
The visit to the Live4Life program also highlighted the importance of mental health first aid training in schools, especially in encouraging conversations to help reduce stigma and promote leaders as mental health ambassadors.
“Demand for mental health services for young people is at an all time high, especially in regional and rural communities,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The recent announcement for delivery of the Labor Government’s $200 million investment for student wellbeing programs in schools will continue to ensure programs like Live4Life continue to help those who need it most.”
