Page 1061 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 3 May 2022

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Education—Set up for Success early learning program

Ministerial statement

MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (11.00): Today I am providing an update to the Legislative Assembly on the phase 1 implementation plan for Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT.

Every child deserves a great education and the life chances that flow from it. Education has the potential to drastically alter life trajectories for the better. The investment we make in the education of children and young people is incredibly important and deeply rewarding. The ACT government launched Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT in August 2020.

Set up for Success is a nation-leading plan for early childhood education in the ACT and was developed following targeted consultation with educators, early childhood experts, children and families. It is based on overwhelming national and international evidence about the benefits of quality early learning.

Early learning is about setting children up to thrive. Every child starts life with a different set of circumstances that impact on their development in their critical early years. Improving access to high quality early childhood education that is affordable is central to achieving this, as is partnering with community and health services to ensure that the unique needs of each child are met.

When children participate in quality early learning, they are more likely to have a successful transition to school, stay longer in school, continue on to further education, and fully participate in employment and community life as adults.

I was privileged to work with early childhood stakeholders to develop Set up for Success, and the government continues to work with these stakeholders to implement this strategy. Most importantly, we continue to work with children and families directly. Hearing the voices of young people is a core part of developing and implementing Set up for Success. I am grateful to everyone who has been, and continues to be, a part of delivering this strategy. I thank you all.

As part of the commitment to provide a holistic educational pathway for children from their early years until they turn 18, Set up for Success aligns with the Future of Education: An ACT Education Strategy for the Next 10 Years. The Future of Education is delivering an education system that supports all children and young people to overcome barriers and to succeed.

Today I wish to present to the Assembly an update on the key achievements under the Set up for Success phase 1 implementation plan. The implementation plan affirms the ACT government’s ongoing commitment to the foundations of Set up for Success, developed in partnership with the community.


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