The Challenge

How can we ensure that all young people can maximise their potential?

The early influences and experiences in the life of every child have enormous implications for their futures and for the futures of those around them.

The objective of Dr Fraser Mustard’s residency was to increase interest and understanding across all sectors of the South Australian community about the crucial importance of the early years in developing a healthier, fitter, competent population, and promote opportunities for South Australian children to achieve their potential.

Dr Mustard strengthened partnerships, promoted innovation in parenting programs, built strategic legacies and enhanced South Australia’s reputation as a committed leader in the field of early childhood development.

He provided us with strategic advice on the future of this field, and helped design, develop and deliver programs for the benefit of children and parents.

Dr Mustard’s final report Investing in the Early Years sets out an integrated plan for researching childhood development, measuring how well South Australia’s children are doing, and using this knowledge in the establishment of early development and parenting centres and training child development staff.

Central to Dr Mustard’s strategy is an approach to early childhood development that places it at the centre of policy thinking across Government, supported by adequate funding. 

In addition to his final report, Dr Mustard prepared a detailed companion document, Early Childhood Development: The best start for all South Australians. 

Dr Mustard was in residence October/November 2006 and February/March 2007.