Context for the Plan
Globalisation has heightened international competition and has increased the importance of skills, innovation and creativity. Education and early childhood development can play a major role in building the foundations of global citizenship and reaping the benefits created through globalisation, technological change and increased competition.
All aspects of early childhood services and education should help children to enter adulthood equipped for the world in which they will live.
The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians December 2008, made by all Education Ministers, sets two educational goals for young people:
| Goal 1 | Goal 2 |
|---|---|
| Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence. |
All young Australians become:
|
As the world changes, early childhood services and education will also need to continuously adapt and change to ensure that our young people have the skills and abilities to thrive. The creation of the Department signals a new opportunity to improve the learning, development, health and wellbeing of Victorian children. It recognises the importance of early childhood as a foundation for optimal life outcomes:
'This initiative marks the beginning of a new era in the education and development of our children.
We know that a child’s learning starts from day one, and that a child’s early experiences have a direct impact on their future prospects.
Linking early childhood services and school education recognises that children’s development is a continuous process from birth to adulthood, and government services must reflect this to provide each child with the best opportunity.'
(The Honourable John Brumby, Premier of Victoria, media release of 2 August 2007)
Recently, the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Productivity Agenda Working Group has developed a framework for human capital investment and reform by emphasising all stages of a child’s lifecycle. Victoria is now working closely with the Commonwealth Government, using the COAG forum to shape a new national direction, as well as developing its own reform agenda. The national outcomes and performance measures provide an outstanding opportunity to create a shared national vision and a collaborative national approach to improving outcomes for Australian children.
The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians December 2008, developed in partnership with all other Australian jurisdictions, along with representatives of the Catholic and independent school sectors, provides further impetus to collaborative federalism in education and early childhood development.