This report sets out the findings of a literature review on approaches to improve access to quality children’s education and care services, including early childhood education and care (ECEC) and outside school hours care, in regional and remote thin markets. It identifies 8 delivery approaches to improve access that have a promising or emerging research evidence base and asserts that these need to be tailored to each community, with local buy-in and government support.

The review affirms that there is no single or short-term solution to addressing the many barriers to access in regional and remote areas. Rather, a combination of approaches tailored to each community is needed. These tailored, multi-pronged solutions benefit from medium- to long-term commitments to provide certainty to service providers, families and workers. They also allow for effective implementation and sustainability for the services, the children and the communities. 

Simply having access to ECEC is not enough; shifting the dial on disadvantage requires high quality – exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS). Ensuring access to quality is vitally important, particularly for children experiencing disadvantage who are at higher risk of developmental vulnerability.