In this important episode Nicky talks with Kim Bertino. Kim is the Chief Executive Officer of Big Fat Smile, a not-for-profit provider in the Illawarra providing Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services. Kim and Nicky discuss the multiple impacts on children, families and communities of a lack of access to quality affordable ECEC and the existence of "childcare deserts" often in regions which correspond with other forms of multiple compounding disadvantages and giving children a poor start at life. Global research confirms that children build invaluable skills in the first five years of life. From language, to social, emotional and cognitive development, this crucial period of intense growth informs later outcomes and is why accessing quality ECEC services allows children to thrive and get the best start in life meaning investment in this critical area must be a priority for government. Kim talks about recent strategies including the introduction of a wage subsidy, that have had positive benefits for the sector to improve workforce attraction and retention. She describes innovative programs that Big Fat Smile is now operating to meet unmet need, and how the not-for-profit sector community sector is willing and able to work with government on solutions including capital funding for new centres to put resources back into community to meet the needs of children and families. Childcare Desert Report Victoria University: Mapping the childcare deserts: Childcare accessibility in Australia | Victoria University