Leading early years expert Naomi Eisenstadt CB has begun her two-week visit to Australia today, hosted by the country?s largest long day care provider, Goodstart Early Learning.
Ms Eisenstadt was responsible for the establishment of the Sure Start program in the United Kingdom (UK), which now boasts over 3,600 children?s centres nationwide.
She is considered a leading thinker on the provision of community services for young children and their families, knowing from experience the positive impact such services can have on the lives of children and their communities.
The Sure Start Unit, which Ms Eisenstadt ran for seven years, was responsible for delivering the UK government?s commitment to free nursery education places for all three and four year olds, the national childcare strategy, and programmes aiming to reduce the gap in outcomes between children living in disadvantaged areas and the wider child population.
This was later extended to developing policy on parenting support, and a greatly enhanced delivery system for the provision of extended services for families with school aged children, including childcare and school based family support.
Julia Davison, Goodstart Early Learning Chief Executive Officer, said partnering with leading sector thinkers, who bring national and international expertise to the table, is invaluable to the formation of Goodstart?s strategy, and to influencing wider sector change.
?The UK government demonstrated a strong and practical commitment to the early years through their Sure Start program, and there is much we can learn from this experience,? Ms Davison said.
?Naomi?s experience is a prime example of what can be achieved when governments, sector organisations and families focus on the importance of the first five years, and how partnerships with families can build stronger communities and outstanding outcomes for children.
?Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible, affordable, community-connected early learning in our centres, as well as partner and openly collaborate with the sector to drive change for the benefit of all children. In the spirit of this mission, Naomi?s visit is the perfect opportunity for a variety of sector stakeholders to come together and further develop our strategies for ensuring all Australia?s children have the best possible start in life.
?I am delighted to welcome Naomi to Australia, and we very much look forward to engaging with and learning from her over the next two weeks.?
Ms Eisenstadt said she was looking forward to meeting with a range of sector stakeholders during her visit, and to sharing experiences of success in early childhood education and care.
?When Goodstart first approached me about our experience in the UK, I began to see the parallels between our work and what Goodstart is aiming to achieve in Australia through providing community-connected services that go beyond childcare.
?I am looking forward to engaging with Goodstart staff during my visit, learning more about Goodstart?s strategy, and also to meeting with sector leaders from a range of sector organisations.?
During her visit to Australia, Ms Eisenstadt will be visiting Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra, engaging in a number of forums and events, discussing the UK experience and the provision of services in the early childhood education and care sector.
Notes to editors:
? Goodstart Early Learning was formed by four of Australia?s leading not-for-profit organisations?The Benevolent Society, Social Ventures Australia, Mission Australia, and The Brotherhood of St Laurence?who came together to purchase more than 650 of the former ABC Learning Centres in 2009.
? As a not-for-profit organisation, any surplus Goodstart generates is reinvested back into programs that support its centres, children, and communities.
? Goodstart currently has more than 650 centres across Australia, with 15,000 staff, 72,000 children, and 60,000 families.
http://prwire.com.au/pr/28511/goodstart-early-learning-welcomes-early-years-expert-naomi-eisenstadt-to-australia
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