This report identifies 131 communities across Australia where significant socioeconomic disadvantage, high levels of early childhood developmental vulnerability and childcare deserts are leaving more than 25,000 children at risk of lifelong health, education, social and welfare issues. It provides a guide on how to turn things around, so children can enjoy long, happy, healthy lives well into adulthood, regardless of the post code they were born into. 

Key recommendations 

• The Commonwealth Government prioritise the 131 identified at-risk communities for new infrastructure investments.
• The Commonwealth Government build Early Childhood Hubs in these areas, or integrated early years services operated by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in areas with high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
• The Commonwealth Government provides funding for the effective and sustainable operation of these Early Childhood Hubs and ACCOs.
• The Commonwealth Government invests in a range of quality integrated early learning models in the 520 communities experiencing high child and family disadvantage and developmental vulnerability that are not childcare deserts.