The ‘Lifting Our Game’ report encourages Australian governments to take a broader view of education to encompass both early childhood and schools. “Investing in integrating education and care creates the potential for a double dividend – promoting children’s wellbeing, learning and development and supporting parental workforce participation… This means a change from the mindset of separating the concept of education from care.”

The report found that ‘there is growing evidence that participation in quality early childhood education improves school readiness and lifts NAPLAN results and PISA scores..it is also linked with higher levels of employment, income and financial security, improved health outcomes and reduced crime. It helps build the skills children will need for the jobs of the future’.