Publications & resources

Opinion

Australia’s childcare system is full of ‘churn’ – this isn’t good for quality or safety

Reports of shocking abuse and neglect in our early childhood system mean many Australians are questioning whether they can trust childcare centres. In our new report, we look at some…
Feature

Instability, risk and the price of a place in Australia’s childcare sector

Many Australians are rightly shocked by the spate of recent reports of serious safety breaches in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings.
Report

The price of a place: Instability, risk and the hidden cost of Australia’s early childhood education and care system

Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy and funding settings have driven strong growth in childcare places for relatively low public investment. But the way the sector has grown matters.
Report

Unequal from the start: The achievement gap & the early years

Disadvantaged children who perform well at a very young age are overtaken by their peers from more advantaged backgrounds as they move towards school age.
Opinion

The Productivity Commission recommends 3 days of early learning & care a week

Mitchell Institute researchers give their views on the Productivity Commission's interim report into early childhood education and care.
Opinion

How the early childhood learning & care system works (& doesn’t work)

Recent Victorian and New South Wales government announcements may signal the first steps in a profound change to Australia’s early childhood sector.