The Honorable Joan Kirner, ex-premier of Victoria, launched the report. She reminded us of the long struggle by many parents and communities to win access to preschool education for their children. Mrs Kirner linked those struggles to the contemporary evidence which demonstrates the significance of quality early childhood education for children's learning experience throughout school and to life opportunities in adulthood.

In "No Small Matter", AEU researchers Sally Edsall and Robin Hull, have gathered a wealth of Australian and international research into the value and life impact of early childhood education.

They point to an overwhelming body of evidence supporting the view that preschool education is not a cost, but an investment in children's futures.

The research shows that quality preschool education, in addition to its immediate benefits for children and families, significantly improves children's later life opportunities by giving them increased language, learning and social skills on entry to primary school. The benefits are long lasting, giving children a better chance of successfully completing high school, gaining employment and earning higher wages in adult life.

The report emphasises that early childhood education must be free, publicly accessible, and high quality if the benefits are to be genuinely extended to all children. Essential elements include:

• facilities located in all communities
• small class sizes
• parent participation
• qualified early childhood teachers
• good physical environment
• links to public schools, health and social services
• ongoing professional development for staff.

Robin Hull is a Research Officer with the AEU Tasmanian Branch and Sally Edsall is a Research Officer with the NSW Teachers' Federation.

Copies of the 40 page report are now ONLY available on the internet. (Please click on cover)

Read the AEU's Media Release: Media Release Time to Stand Up for the Small Ones.