Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the tremendous work of our early childhood educators undertaking education and caring for our young children in centres across the Central Coast. The early years are a formative period for our children's development, and educators play an important role in placing children on a path to success throughout the rest of their lives. Research says that the first five years of life are the most critical for building the foundations for lifelong learning, wellbeing and health, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who are more likely to be developmentally vulnerable in language and cognitive skills when they enter school and who will benefit considerably from early childhood education. Here they form connections with friends, develop independence and learn new routines.

On the Central Coast community we have recently acknowledged some outstanding childhood educators, and I want to place in Hansard my congratulations to these educators. They include the Central Coast's favourite childcare worker as voted on the community on the Central Coast, Carlee Lester, from Juniors At Wamberal; a very big congratulations and thank you, Carlee. There were three other finalist: Camilla Hall, from Little Miracles—Niagara Park; Eliza Mainland, from Milestones—Umina Beach; and Louise Reynolds, from Little Miracles—Niagara Park. My congratulations and thanks to all these finalists and, to all our early childhood educators, thank you. You are helping to shape the future for future generations in our nation.

See this speech in context