Early Years Dialogue Episode 5: What can Australia learn from the UK's early learning funding model?

How do different approaches to government funding affect the affordability, quality, and sustainability of early learning? And what can Australia learn from the experiences of other countries?

In the latest episode of ACA’s Early Years Dialogue, ACA President Paul Mondo is joined by Neil Leitch OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the UK's Early Years Alliance, to explore an international perspective on one of the biggest policy questions facing Australia's early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.

Paul and Neil explore the differences between Australia's existing funding model, which supports families through the Child Care Subsidy, and the UK's supply-side approach, where government funding is provided directly to early learning services. Drawing on the UK's experience, Neil shares insights into the challenges facing providers, including funding pressures, service closures, rising fees and workforce shortages.

The conversation also turns to a fundamental question: Does changing how government funding is delivered improve outcomes for children, families and service providers, or is the adequacy of that funding just as important?

Paul and Neil consider what the UK's experience can teach Australia about the potential benefits and unintended consequences of different funding arrangements. They also explore the challenges of maintaining a diverse and sustainable early learning sector, and whether alternative approaches may be appropriate in communities where access to early learning remains limited.

It's an insightful discussion that brings an international perspective to Australia's ongoing ECEC policy debate, highlighting the importance of getting both the structure and level of government funding right.

To hear the full conversation between Paul Mondo and Neil Leitch OBE, watch the latest episode of ACA's Early Years Dialogue 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.