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Early Childhood Development


CPD’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Initiative aims to elevate children on the national policy agenda by developing a vision for an integrated ECD system that will deliver benefits for children, families and communities, particularly those facing disadvantage. The ECD initiative works with policy-makers, early childhood sector leaders and experts to create space for new, collaborative policy thinking and action. The Initiative comprises two parts:

  • The ECD Council brings together policy-makers and experts to engage with evidence, develop policy options, and share ideas.
  • The Scoping Study translates new and existing evidence into resources and models to inform better policy decisions.

The ECD Council and Scoping Study are working to strengthen the connections between the ECD policy process, and evidence from practice and research.

Latest Articles


MEDIA RELEASE: Productivity Commission report highlights need for reform in Australia’s early childhood system

Curtis Moore - November 2023

The Centre for Policy Development welcomes many of the recommendations included in the Productivity Commissions Interim Report into early childhood education and care, but encourage more ambition.

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Early Childhood Development Council – 4 August 2023

Lachlan Williams - August 2023

The seventh meeting of the Early Childhood Development Council was held in Canberra at Parliament House on Tuesday 29 November 2022. The council brings together senior policymakers from every Australian...

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A brief history of Commonwealth involvement in early childhood education and care in Australia

Lachlan Williams - August 2023

Prior to 1972, long day care was provided by a mix of philanthropic and private organisations, having evolved separately to preschools (which were not considered to meet the needs of...

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Ensuring that newly arrived refugees settle effectively into their new local communities across Australia offers a range of great benefits to our society and economy.

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