15 September 2026
Latest News
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) is proud to release the third episode in our Early Years Dialogue series, which explores the issues, challenges and opportunities shaping Australia’s early learning sector.
Australia’s early learning sector is experiencing a period of significant change, with successive reforms reshaping the environment in which providers, service leaders and educators operate.
In Episode Three of ACA’s Early Years Dialogue, Ros Baxter, CEO of Goodstart Early Learning joins ACA President Paul Mondo in conversation with Ticker News journalist Ahron Young to explore the cumulative impact of reform across the sector, and why children’s needs must remain at the heart of every decision.
What do children need from the adults making these decisions?
It is a simple but important question, and one that sits at the centre of this latest conversation.
Paul and Ros reflect on what the current period of reform has meant for those working across Australia’s early learning sector every day, from approved providers and service leaders to educators working directly with children and families.
Their discussion considers the impact of successive reforms, the progress that has been made and the challenge of implementing significant change while services continue the day-to-day work of providing high-quality early learning and care.
They also explore the important balance between necessary accountability and generalisation.
While strong standards, effective oversight and continuous improvement are essential to maintaining confidence in the sector and ensuring children are safe and supported, the conversation highlights the importance of recognising the professionalism, commitment and experience of the many thousands of people working across early learning.
Looking beyond reform to what comes next
The discussion also looks to the future.
What does meaningful and sustainable change look like from here? How can reform achieve its intended outcomes while recognising the practical realities facing services and educators? And, amid a period of considerable change, what gives sector leaders confidence and hope for the future?
These are questions that require the voices and experiences of those working within early learning to be part of the conversation.
You can watch Episode 3 of Early Years Dialogue on Ticker News here.
About Early Years Dialogue
ACA’s Early Years Dialogue brings together sector leaders, experts and those working across early learning to explore the issues, experiences and conversations shaping our sector and its future.
Through the series, ACA is investing in new ways to keep important sector conversations going, bring different perspectives together and ensure the experiences of those working in early learning are part of the national conversation.
You can watch previous episodes of Early Years Dialogue here.
