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If there is one thing we know from decades of child development research, it is that the early years matter. Many parents assume the important learning starts when children walk through the school gates. In reality, some of the most significant learning happens long before then.
What Early Development Really Means
By age five, around 90% of a child’s brain development has already occurred. During these early years, the foundations for language, emotional regulation, relationships, learning, resilience and mental health are being laid. That doesn’t mean parents need to panic or strive for perfection – but it is a reminder that the everyday experiences children have during this period matter enormously.
When we talk about childcare quality, we’re not talking about the newest playground, the fanciest curriculum or the most impressive marketing brochure. We’re talking about the quality of the relationships surrounding a child every day. The first five years aren’t just important, they’re foundational – actively shaping the architecture of a developing brain.
What the Data Is Telling Us
Recent Australian Early Development Census data paints a concerning picture. Fewer than 53% of Australian children are starting school developmentally on track across all key areas of development. Almost one in four children show vulnerability in at least one domain.
These statistics aren’t about blame or alarm. They are a reminder that simply attending an early learning setting isn’t enough – what matters most is the quality of the experience children have while they’re there.
Quality Is Simpler Than Many Parents Think
When parents hear the word ‘quality’, they often think about educational programs, learning philosophies or specialised activities. But the research keeps pointing us back to something much simpler: quality is relationships.
It is the educator who kneels down to listen to a child. The caregiver who notices when a toddler is overwhelmed. The adult who responds warmly when a child reaches out for comfort or reassurance. Researchers often refer to this as ‘attunement’ – the ability to notice and respond to a child’s emotional and developmental needs.
The reassuring news for parents is that this isn’t limited to one type of care. It can happen with a parent, grandparent, educator, family day-care provider or nanny. What matters most isn’t who provides the care. It’s whether the child experiences warm, responsive and consistent relationships.
For families seeking that kind of care outside the home, NannyLane Australia offers a practical alternative to traditional models. The platform connects families directly with thoroughly verified and trusted nannies, either on a regular or ad-hoc basis. This is a great avenue to explore one-to-one care, giving children that stable secondary caregiver.
What the research tells us – and what I see confirmed in practice – is straightforward: children thrive when they have adults who know them well, respond to them consistently, and make them feel safe, seen and understood. Choosing care that prioritises this isn’t just a practical decision, it’s one of the most meaningful investments a family can make.
Dr Deirdre Brandner
Child Psychologist, Author, Parenting Expert
About Dr Deirdre Brandner:
Dr Deirdre Brandner is a registered Australian paediatric psychologist, author, and parenting expert with over 30 years of clinical experience supporting children, adolescents, and families. She works across private practice and multidisciplinary clinical settings, providing psychological and developmental assessments for children experiencing learning, behavioural, and emotional challenges. Her work combines evidence-based psychological practice with practical strategies to help families better understand and support children’s emotional well-being and development.
