Unpacking and unpicking the challenge of 600 hours of preschool attendance

• Published in: Australasian journal of early childhood Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 32 - 48
• Main Authors: Harrison, Linda J, Redman, Tracy, Brown, Judith E, Lavina, Leanne, Davis, Belinda, Degotardi, Sheila, Fordham, Loraine, Hadley, Fay, Jones, Catherine, Waniganayake, Manjula, Wong, Sandie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Deakin West, A.C.T SAGE Publications 01-03-2024
• Subjects: Aboriginal Australians; Attendance; Attendance patterns; Child development; Day care centers; Early childhood education; Education (Preschool); Enrolled hours; Evaluation; Evaluation methods; Finance; Government policy; Long day care (LDC); Participation; Preschool children; Preschool education; Preschool teachers; School attendance; Young children; Australia; preschool/kindergarten; long day care; Early childhood education; early childhood education participation; early childhood education enrolment and attendance
• ISSN: 1836-9391; 1839-5961
• DOI: 10.1177/18369391231219829

The Australian Government's (2022) Preschool Reform Funding Agreement and initiatives by state governments aim to lift enrolment and maximise the benefits of early childhood education (ECE) in the year before school. The Agreement is particularly relevant for children and families from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom do not utilise the annual attendance target of 600 hours available to every child. Children's enrolment and daily attendance records are key to understanding participation in ECE, but few studies or government reports have examined this information in detail. Drawing on administrative records provided by 19 long day care and preschool centres/schools in areas of socio-economic disadvantage, we analysed weekly attendance for 971 preschool-aged children over four 10-week terms. Results for the 'percentage of enrolled days' attended (M equivalent 88%) and 'total hours' attended (M equivalent 576 h) approached the target but differed for children enrolled in preschool versus long day care.