Celebrating the Impact of Learning through Play: 2024 Early Learning Matters Week Wrap-Up Event at Parliament House
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and the Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Early Childhood celebrated the conclusion of the 2024 Early Learning Matters Week with a special wrap-up event held at Parliament House on Thursday, 15 August. This event highlighted the theme of learning through play and marked a pivotal moment in recognising the value of early childhood education and care.
The wrap-up event reflected on the successful celebrations of Early Learning Matters Week (5–9 August), which showcased the significance of early learning through play-based experiences through a video collated about the week. The week saw early childhood services nationwide welcoming parliamentary representatives, policymakers, and community members through their doors to emphasise the transformative power of play in children’s learning and development. The video featured 11 MPs visiting services and engaging with children, educators and families and sharing their messages of support for the sector. You can view the video here and share it.
Sam Page, ECA CEO said, ‘At Early Childhood Australia we believe that early learning matters every day of the year, and we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the wonderful work of early childhood teachers and educators.
The purpose of celebrating Early Learning Matters Week every year is to invite policy makers and MPs to be a part of the early childhood sector, show their support and recognise the importance of high-quality early childhood education and care in the lives of young children and their families. This year we have seen a record level of engagement and a very welcome announcement on wage increases for educators – we look forward to continuing the work to build a world-class, universal early childhood education system for every young child across Australia’.
The announcement of a 15% wage increase for the early childhood workforce, which came during Early Learning Matters Week, further underscored the importance of valuing and supporting the early childhood sector.
The Hon Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education said, ‘To achieve our ambitious vision of universal and affordable early learning for children, we first need to have a strong, stable and sustainable workforce’.
Senator Marielle Smith, Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Early Childhood said, ‘The work of early childhood educators Isn’t just life changing, it’s nation building I want to keep the ambition for early childhood education high.’
Supported by KU Children’s Services and the LEGO Group, this event aimed to emphasise the importance of early childhood education and care in Australia, with a special focus on the role of learning through play in enhancing children’s learning.
KU Children’s Services CEO, Christine Legg said, said, ‘KU is delighted to be at Parliament House today alongside ECA and Lego to shine a light on the importance of children learning through play and to celebrate the important work of the professional teachers and educators who work in the work in the sector. Play based learning is the basis of our pedagogy and is the foundation on which KU was established 129 years ago. Through play, children are supported to develop relationships, communication and social skills, learn to hypothesise, experiment, gain independence and confidence’.
Troy Taylor, Vice President & GM, LEGO Australia & New Zealand, said, ‘LEGO Australia is delighted to have supported Early Learning Matters Week and be part of this inspiring movement to celebrate early learning and its impact on children and communities. The early years are crucial for a child’s health and wellbeing, with research showing that 90% of a child’s brain development taking place before age five. Much of that learning comes from play: when children play, they develop essential life skills such as creativity, confidence and resilience that help them thrive as they grow up in the 21st century. We are committed to working with Early Childhood Australia to engage and impact even more children through play’.
The wrap-up event concluded with a renewed commitment to advocating for play-based learning and ensuring that every child benefits from high-quality early childhood education around the country.
People in the photo:
Standing (from left to right):
1. Troy Taylor is the Vice President and GM at LEGO Australia & New Zealand
2. Undisclosed
3. Allegra Spender MP
4. Senator Varun Ghosh
5. Undisclosed
6. Undisclosed
7. Sam Page, ECA CEO
8. Senator Marielle Smith
9. Robyn Monro Miller AM, CEO Play Australia
Sitting (from left to right)
1. Undisclosed
2. Chris Legg, CEO KU Children’s Services
3. Trever Brown, ECA National Board President
ENDS
Early Childhood Australia CEO Samantha Page is available for comment. For interviews, please get in touch with ECA Media on 0475 554 999.
Early Childhood Australia is the peak advocacy body for children from birth to eight years, their families and early childhood professionals.
