EXCERPTS

Government decisions on the review of home-based early childhood education (ECE) were announced today.

Key changes include a gradual shift towards requiring home-based educators to hold at least a level 4 ECE qualification. Evidence suggests that an ECE qualification supports educators to provide children with stimulating, warm and supportive early learning experiences.

Other decisions on the review include:
• strengthened oversight through a beefed-up ‘visiting teacher’ role
• giving the Education Review Office the power to enter homes where home-based early childhood education is taking place
• more explicit requirements on service providers to provide health and safety training and professional development for educators.

The review aims to ensure that parents can be confident of the quality of education their young children are receiving in a home setting.

Home-based ECE has grown rapidly – around 18,300 children attended home-based services in 2018.