There are some things we just know. The foundations of your home, for example, are fundamental to the success of the final structure, and to the life of your dwelling. Agreed? This, too, is true for people.
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Our early beginnings are integral to our "being, belonging and becoming", which is why Australia adopted this alliterative phrase as the theme for the early years learning framework.
There's much evidence to support an investment in quality education in the early years. The first five years of life are when the human brain grows most rapidly, with significant circuitry being wired.
Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child rates the number of neural connections developing in early childhood at one million every second.
Kindergarten is where children begin to socialise outside their family, negotiate and engage in educational programs developed within a play-based curriculum. It impacts significantly on their neurological and social development, as well as their overall health and well-being.
There's also significant economic benefit in investing in quality early childhood education. Earlier this year, PricewaterhouseCoopers compiled a report, focused on the year prior to school.
It found that for every dollar spent on early childhood education, the return is $2 - because of improved literacy, numeracy and future employability, among other things.
Currently, the federal government ensures every child has access to a quality kindergarten program for 15 hours a week in the year before school.
However, given all we know about the importance of a good start, is this enough?
I don't think so, and neither does the Victorian government.
Next year, Victoria will become the first state or territory to introduce funded three-year-old kindergarten, at an investment of almost $5 billion over 10 years. This will be a game-changer for many children and families. It will ensure greater equity for children across all demographics, ensuring that their learning and development is observed, extended and enhanced.
It will be taught by qualified teachers who have spent up to four years studying at university, enabling learning difficulties to be picked up earlier, and families to get the support they need.
When put in the context of all the evidence, the move is an obvious one. Victoria has taken the first step. Let's hope other Australian states and territories follow suit.
Leanne Grogan is a lecturer in early childhood education, La Trobe University
