Easing the pressure on children and the people who care for them
Early learning is being asked to do more. The 3 Day Guarantee has given eligible families access to more subsidised hours, and early figures show increased use among those families. Providers and governments need environments that support children’s development and the people who care for them, across the full rhythm of the day.
The pressure is sharpened by workforce challenges. Jobs and Skills Australia has identified the need to substantially boost the number of the early childhood educators, alongside ongoing professional development and stronger foundations for rewarding careers.
Architecture can’t solve a workforce shortage. But it can stop the building adding to the pressure. When it’s hard to attract and retain staff, the spaces they work in every day deserve scrutiny: do they ease the load or add to it?