Previously, the Coffs Harbour region was on the NSW Department of Education's list of communities to engage for any significant legislative, regulatory and policy improvements and changes.

But the 2019 Review of the National Quality Framework has compelled 57 early learning services for up to 2,654 children and their families to travel to Lismore and/or Port Macquarie instead to engage and have their say in their respective futures.

This while during a time of childcare oversupply, confusion/frustrations over the new National Quality Standards since February 2018 and in particular the consequential impact on services' ratings, challenges to childcare affordability, significant labour shortages, and the Federal Government's still problematic Child Care Subsidy System.

Coffs Harbour is a major regional centre of New South Wales, and together with Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Illawarra form 93% of the entire state's population.

Moreover, as predominantly small family-owned businesses, organisations and communities providing a critical service, for the NSW Government to overlook this region undermines the value of such service providers and community members.

The Coffs Harbour region of early childhood education and care services and children ask the NSW Government and in particular the NSW Minister for Early Childhood Education (the Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC) to add a 2019 NQF Review Evening Consultation as well as a 2019 Day Time Roadshow session similar to those already scheduled for Greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Gosford and Maitland.

I started this petition because…
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW is the peak association representing the privately-owned childcare sector and providing 1,600 childcare services. Our members employ over 25,000 staff and support over 125,000 families. We provide advocacy, policy and regulatory support and advice, member services, and professional development for our members and assistance to non-members wherever possible across the state.

ACA NSW has been conducting public Network Meetings in Coffs Harbour for some years, engaging with members and non-members alike across Boambee, North Boambee Valley, Toormina, Coffs Harbour, Diggers Beach, Korora, Moonee Beach, Park Beach, Red Hill, West Korora, Sapphire Beach, Bonville, Bellingen, Coramba, Nana Glen, Corindi Beach and Red Rock, Dorrigo, Karangi, Upper Orara, Sawtell, Woolgoolga and Nambucca Valley.

At the most recent Network Meeting on 15 April 2019, those present were unanimously upset that Coffs Harbour was not included in the NSW Department of Education's schedule (see https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/australia--new-south-wales/nqf/ of what is the most significant review for the future of early childhood education and care.