Changing Policy, Changing Culture: Steps Toward Early Learning Quality Improvement in Australia

Abstract

Across Australia a combined government effort is underway to reform early childhood education and care (ECEC) provision. A National Law Bill passed in 2010 heralds a new legal, regulatory and accountability framework that embraces all types ECEC provision. As a result, service providers face rapid change to address a new orientation and higher regulatory standards. This paper reviews the Australian system change in light of the tools selected under a human capital development conceptualisation, international debate about ECEC provision and what is at stake in the reform of ECEC systems. Questions are raised about the capacity of national reform enterprise within complex systems to change local practice. The tools selected to address quality in an ECEC system affect both the implementation of ECEC programs and the outcomes. Local leadership and community engagement in ECEC provision is paramount if improvements in the quality of provision are to be assured.