Measuring ECEC to ensure successes in NSW

Now that the NSW Early Learning Commission is in full operation (since December 2025), it is again timely to revisit how we measure successes and children's outcomes through NSW's early childhood education and care.

ACA NSW has submitted two draft dashboards for the NSW Department of Education and the NSW Early Learning Commission to consider using/populating/publishing.

Many research and reports have articulated the promises of early childhood education and care, for example Australia's The Front Project ($2 for every $1 invested), the US' Nobel Laureate Prof J Heckman ($8.60 for every $1 invested), and even NSW Health (13% return or $2,972 for every $1 invested).

Given these promising returns, far too many still regard our sector as primarily childcare and not early childhood education and care.

Hence, it is vital for our sector to critically reflect on our successes and outcomes so that we can continually adjust and overtly ensure the best start in life for our children.

For any further information/clarification/assistance, please contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 4 MAY 2026