The Federal Minister for Social Services took time out from Parliament on Wednesday to check out why thousands of children under 12 were begging their parents to visit the University of Wollongong, and how it will give them a better start in life.
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Scott Morrison officially opened the $44 million Early Start research and play facility which is aimed at social transformation of children, families and communities.
Early childhood expert Professor Marc De Rosnay said the benefits to society were far-reaching on many levels as they have partnered with 41 early childhood education and care centres across NSW and the ACT to bridge research with practice.
‘‘If a kid coming from a very disadvantaged background and a very high risk environment experiences very high quality early years experience ... that child then has prospects of better employment later in life, better education, greater autonomy in their own life choices,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ll be creating programs for our future educators and people who work with children and families – social work, psychology, education, human geography.’’
More than 135 researchers and research students will be working in the Early Start building to delve into issues as varied as cognitive development, healthy lifestyles and social inclusion, while mums and dads can learn more about their child through play in the Discovery Space.
Chief operating officer Michelle Kellaway said more than 10,000 kids and parents had visited the space since it opened in May, and had seen many tantrums when it was home time.
‘‘It’s all about stimulating young minds to discover, explore, create, share, develop through the interactive experiences that are here, and it’s one of its kind,’’ said Ms Kellaway.
