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Can we make our kids smarter?

May 1, 2012
3 Comments


Pam Cahir talks about the biggest improvements to early childhood education in 25 years.

More Australian babies and toddlers are in childcare than ever before. And they’re there when their brains are laying down the pathways vital for later learning, intelligence and social capability.

Pam Cahir, the CEO from Early Childhood Australia, tells 3Q how new national reforms are ensuring childcare centres provide a nurturing environment that will ultimately have a long-term beneficial effect on the society of the future.

Critics of the Government’s plan say the changes will cost up to $27 a day more in childcare. But Pam Cahir says they are exaggerating the price increases, which she estimates to be closer to $5 a day.

The ECA believes the small price increase is warranted to ensure the long-term goals of the reform agenda are met.

  • Chris Perkins

    Who could disagree with Pam Cahir? Smarter, healthier kids that earn the country more as adults and cost the country less. And the cost of making this happen is a few bucks a day of which the government will pay half. No brainer. 

  • Jim Wilson

    What does smarter mean? Cognitive growth? Emotional growth? Mens sana in corpore sano? It is curious that our society has arrived at the point that Chinese society reached under Mao Zedong: all the parents are working and the state looks after the kids. By the time they are at high school and doing their extra-curricular violin/equestrian/gymnastics footy training five nights a week with homework and other activities at the weekend, many kids will just think their parents are chauffeurs and bankers.
    Kids who come from dysfunctional/abusive, low socio-economic status are undoubtedly better off in child care centres but are unlikely to have the opportunity.
    I am not proposing a better way but I would remind people of the old Tom Lehrer line ” Life is like a sewer: what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.”

  • Nicole

    What about recognition as “professionals” – not “child care workers” – how will the reforms recognise educators as “teachers” across the board from 0-12yrs, ensuring equity in pay for staff whether or not they choose to work in E.Ch or primary contexts? As degrees in Education are now becoming “double degrees (0-12yr qualifications)” why should educators be disadvantaged should they choose to educate young children (0-6yrs)? for stability and security of employment in E.Ch, we need to advocate for parity in wages and conditions for all educators.

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