S2/E4 A pram walk from every home: the case for a universal early learning system

04/11/22 • 34 min

We know what children need in their first five years to develop to their full potential, so why isn’t action around this at the top of the national agenda? Former Premier and South Australian Minister for Children, Jay Weatherill, leads the Thrive by Five campaign, which seeks to change that. He’s advocating for a universal, high quality childcare system for all Australian children. What would it take to get the states and the Commonwealth to cooperate and hasten the pace of reform to improve kids’ outcomes and better support parents and carers?

Ebony Curtis also shares her story of becoming a mum for the first time at 15. What's it like to navigate pregnancy and raising children when you’re not an adult yourself? As a young parent who has pursued her education and career dreams, while adding to her family, Ebony also lends her lived experience to the work of The Brave Foundation. Brave works to support teens in their communities to become the parents they want to be, while also juggling their own education and other needs.

With thanks to: Jay Weatherill, Ebony Curtis, Brave Foundation

With thanks to: Jay Weatherill, Ebony Curtis, Brave Foundation

Previous Episode

S2/E3 Building blocks for life: public health and kids

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for developmental outcomes and long term health. Paediatrician and leading child health researcher, Professor Sharon Goldfeld, argues we need a radical redesign of how families can be best supported during a child’s early years. In this episode, she outlines the need for creativity in public policies to address the growing disparities in child health and wellbeing - and she’s excited about the possibilities.

We also visit the Think+DO Tank in Western Sydney, a neighbourhood hub that brings together creatives, psychologists, and multilingual community connectors to craft innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of belonging, mental health, wellbeing, and literacy faced by migrant communities.

With thanks to: Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Think+Do Tank, especially Marian Abboud, Afaf Al-Shmmari, Maysoon Shinawas, Shahad Alsaad, Harri Harding, and the students at Marsden Road Public School.

Next Episode

S2/E5 Strong in culture: backing Indigenous kids

First Nations children in Australia are some of the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised in our society. But they’re also on a journey of discovery, healing and strength through culture in response to the devastating impact of colonisation. Our guest host for this episode is Leila Smith, the CEO of the Aurora Education Foundation, which works to improve the educational outcomes of Indigenous students. Leila sits down with two other change-makers, Lawyer, Mum and former care-kid, Kirsten Gray, and Barrister and campaigner Tim Goodwin. What’s working and what’s not to improve the odds for Indigenous kids? How does a deeper understanding of culture, language, truth-telling and reconciliation benefit us all, but most importantly our future generations?

We also hear from the Ngaalang Moort: Lullabies from Home initiative. Since 2017 Community Arts Network has worked alongside Noongar artists, Elders and their families to shape the Lullabies program across Noongar Boodja, the south west of Western Australia. Over the past 6 years, more than 50 original songs have been written and recorded in Noongar language by Noongar families.

The Lullabies project imagines a future where all Noongar children grow up being lulled to sleep with songs sung in their traditional language. We hear from Noongar musicians Phil Bartlett and Charmaine Councillor, along with Charmaine’s niece, Mika Bennell about the songs that celebrate moort (family), koort (heart), woonya (love) and a legacy for all. The lullabies project is supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program and the Australia Council for the Arts.

With thanks to: Leila Smith, Kirsten Gray, Tim Goodwin, Charmaine Councillor, Phil Barlett, Mika Bennell, Elly Jones and the Community Arts Network.

Music Credits:

Ruby’s Lullaby: Written and performed by Phyllis Bennell

Kaya Maaman Hello Daddy: By Phyllis Bennell and Mika Bennell

Kwobidak Koolang Beautiful Child: Written by Sharyn Egan, Phil Bartlett and Charmaine Councillor. Performed by Sharyn Egan.

Wargada To Search: Written by Megan Ugle and Charmaine Councillor. Performed by Megan Ugle and Trevor Ryan.

Rock-a-bye Lullaby: Written by: Cherie Slater, Ilija Jacobs, Lola McDowell, Megan Ugle, Tammy Prior, Charmaine Councillor and Phil Bartlett. Performed by Phil Bartlett and the Ngaalang Moort Singers.