The first five years of a child’s life are often described as a period of rapid neurological development. During this window, the brain creates more than a million new neural connections every second, shaping the foundation for all future learning, health and behaviour. Because of this, the standard of care and instruction a child receives during these formative years is paramount. Understanding why quality early childhood education matters is the first step for parents looking to provide their children with the best possible start in life. In Australia, the focus has shifted from “childcare” as a simple supervision service to a sophisticated educational model. Quality programmes are designed to foster…