Mr Joyce recently confirmed that the government has offered an extension of the current national partnership arrangement for preschool funding for a further 12 months after it expires this year. Early childhood education institutions are anticipating the continued support across the New England area.

Inverell District Family Services CEO Tony Sonter noted the importance of early education facilities in children’s long term development.

“Essentially all research into educational achievement indicates that the preschool years, five and under, are the most importantly in a child’s longer-term development,” he said.

“Given the current productivity commission inquiry into child care and early learning is not due to submit its report to the federal government until October 2014, it would be unique to make any radical changes without adequate preparation and planning.”

It was a statement shared by Mr Joyce.

“Extending the national partnership for 12 months is a common-sense approach, given the current Productivity Commission Inquiry into Child Care and Early Learning is not due to hand its report to the government until late October this year,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Sonter said the cost of child care has become an increasingly prominent issue in public debate, but said support for early childhood development programs should be the focus future funding decisions.

“Unfortunately, we often only hear about the cost of child care and the central theme that reflects the needs of working parents. While this is important to our community, we really should be concentrating on the children and making sure that we fund all forms of child care and early learning to a level that reflect our hopes as a nation,” he said.

“This should be paramount in any future funding decision.”

Mr Joyce said the Commonwealth’s offer is based on the same funding methodology as the current national partnership arrangements for preschool and individual offers will be made to state and territory governments shortly.