Independent review informs preschool policy decisions

Australia’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment engaged Nous on behalf of all Australian education ministers to review the Universal Access National Partnership (UANP), under which the Australian Government funds children’s access to 600 hours of quality preschool in the year before full-time school.

Nous engaged with the sector and jurisdictions, reviewed submissions and survey results, and analysed data to advise on the UANP’s effectiveness and how well it complemented childcare and state/territory funding. The resulting report recommended continuing the UANP, with focus on lifting attendance and program quality, developing robust measures, and modelling efficient costs. The review informed policy and funding, including $1.6 billion in ongoing Commonwealth funding.