The Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care (OECECC) aims to achieve a nationally consistent, accessible, affordable and high quality early childhood education and child care system for all Australian children and families.

The OECECC is located within the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and was launched by the then Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, the Hon Maxine McKew MP on 18 March 2008.

What do we do?

We are responsible for delivering the Australian Government’s key commitments on early childhood education and child care and guiding major policy reforms at a national level.

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial as this is when the brain undergoes the most rapid development.

Giving children a positive start will ensure they have the best possible future, and providing access to high quality early childhood education before formal schooling starts is the most effective way of helping all children reach their potential.

High quality early childhood education and child care plays an important role in improving educational and developmental outcomes for children. High quality, accessible and affordable child care also allows parents to participate in the workforce and the broader community.

To give all Australian children the best possible start in life, the OECECC delivers programs and initiatives that support both families and the early childhood education and child care sector.