Early education has so many upsides for children, families and society, and although we’re always thankful for the amazing work of educators and the profound impact of early learning programs, this week we’re feeling particularly celebratory!

From today till 9 August, it’s officially Early Learning Matters Week, and for the seventh year running, this nationwide movement is shining a light on the incredible value of quality early childhood education and care.

Around Australia, educators, families and community leaders are celebrating the power that play-based early education has to shape our children into keen, confident, potential-filled learners, and Northern Beaches Council is definitely coming to the party! 

This Sydney council offers a range of children's services in early learning, from pre-school programs and long day care to family day care and occasional, vacation care.

They actually have nine children’s education centres across the Northern Beaches, caring for over 900 local children between the ages of six weeks and six years, and the Council has an amazing track record when it comes to quality. 

Six of their centres are rated Exceeding National Quality Standard, and one of their centres, Belrose Community & Children’s Centre, recently received its second Excellent rating from the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority.

Very few centres ever get this rating (even once!), and Belrose also has a current KindiCare Rating of 9.9, which is outstanding as well. 

You’ll get a sense of what makes Belrose so special when you read this article, and you can be sure that everyone at Belrose, and Northern Beaches Council, is excited about Early Learning Matters Week! 

To make things fun and meaningful, they have a range of educational activities planned for little learners and their grown-ups. 

For instance, there will be a morning tea using ingredients grown in the centre garden; an excursion to collect coffee grinds from a local café for a sustainability project, and a visit from a former rowing Olympian to talk about the effort and excitement of being at the Olympics.

Along the way, there will be lots of opportunities to reflect on the huge importance of quality early education in children’s formative years, and the great difference that passionate educators and stimulating learning environments can make. 

All in all, Early Learning Matters Week won’t go unnoticed in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and there’s lots happening around the nation as well. 

You’ll find different events here, and whatever you do this week, make sure you take a moment to remember that early learning really does matter! 

All photos © Karen Watson