Childcare and early childhood education is too expensive, and it’s holding kids back by denying them early learning opportunities. High fees make our society less equal, and limit choices for women, who often give up study, career and work opportunities to take on caring responsibilities. Early childhood educators face low pay and poor working conditions, while centres are run for big profits.

The Greens will push to make permanent the pandemic-era shift to free childcare for all, and ensure that Melbourne families have access to services which are properly funded to deliver world-class education and strong conditions for workers. Key to funding this shift to free childcare is ensuring the billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.

Free and well-funded childcare and early learning will not only help young families with the pressures of daily living, but will also ensure ongoing, stable employment for our early childhood educators. Within a decade, we will start to see a major shift in educational outcomes for young people and a transformation in gender roles in our workplaces and homes, meaning a big step forward in equality for women.

Adam and the Greens will: 

• Make childcare and early childhood education free
• Ensure professional pay and better working conditions for workers 
• Increase support for First Nations community controlled childcare and early learning
• Boost women’s capacity to engage in paid work, and relieve financial pressure on parents, guardians and caregivers 

Read more about our plan for free Early Childhood Education and Childcare

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