NATIONAL INFORMATION AGREEMENT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
There are a number of challenges in measuring progress against the performance indicators, foremost being the lack of nationally comparable data. The NIA ECEC aims to increase the ability to collect and provide quality, comparable and reliable ECEC data, which will enable development of an evidence base for assessing outcomes and informing future policy developments in this area (MCEECDYA, 2010). The activities covered by the NIA ECEC are intended to build a common, shared infrastructure to ensure nationally consistent ECEC data across jurisdictions. The agreement was developed in consultation with the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and key data agencies such as the ABS and AIHW.