Universal child care to age 5

  • 16/04/2008

  • Age

ALL Australian parents would have access to low-cost child care and welfare services under a proposal Kevin Rudd will take to his 2020 ideas summit. Days before the summit begins, the Prime Minister has outlined a vision for universal access to a network of "one stop" child-care centres. The centres would provide a broad mix of maternal and child health services, including feeding advice and vaccinations, long day care, preschool education and support for parents. Addressing the Sydney Institute last night, Mr Rudd said his plan would need partnerships between various levels of government, as well as private and community service providers. Access to the centres would be universal but not compulsory, and they would be underpinned by strengthened national quality standards, Mr Rudd said. He revealed the plan as 1000 of the nation's "best and brightest" people prepared to descend on Canberra this weekend for the 2020 ideas summit. Ahead of their arrival, the Government released details of more than 8000 submissions to the summit from groups and individuals