The National Early Years Summit was held at Parliament House in Canberra this month as part of the Australian Government’s plan to develop an Early Years Strategy to shape its vision for the future of Australia’s children and their families. Recognising how critical the early years are for children’s development and continued success over their lifetime, this strategy will help the Commonwealth create a more integrated, holistic approach to the early years and better support the education, wellbeing and development of Australia’s children.
Life Course Centre Chief Investigator Professor Karen Thorpe (pictured below, second from right) was among the attendees at the summit and is pictured (from left) with Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education; Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services; and Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett, University of Wollongong.
Life Course Centre Associate Investigator Professor Sharon Goldfeld was also in attendance and is a member of the Early Years Strategy Advisory Panel. Professor Goldfeld was also among the authors, along with Research Fellow Dr Rosemary Cahill, on the publication, Child and family hubs: an important ‘front door’ for equitable support for families across Australia, released by the National Child and Family Hubs Network to coincide with the summit.
The Life Course Centre is planning a submission to the Early Years Discussion Paper, which is now open for public submissions until 30 April 2023.