- More than $1.2 million in grant funding is available to Western Australian Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) organisations through the Preschool Reform Agreement
- Commonwealth funding will be distributed through the Supporting Children in Early Childhood Education and Care WA grants program
- Grants will focus on improving kindergarten participation and outcomes including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and disadvantaged children
Funding of more than $1.2 million dollars is being provided to Western Australia's Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector through the Preschool Reform Agreement (PRA), to develop and maintain quality preschool programs.
The Commonwealth funding will be distributed to the ECEC sector through the Supporting Children in Early Childhood Education and Care WA grants program administered by Child Australia.
In the 2023, 16 organisations received over $1 million in funding through the grant program towards boosting quality and access to kindergarten programs, which benefitted more than 5,700 children across the State.
Under this round of the program, grants between $20,000 to $100,000 will be available for ECEC organisations in both metropolitan and regional WA to deliver initiatives that develop and maintain quality preschool programs, promote enrolment and regular attendance, and prepare children for school.
Examples of the types of initiatives include providing parent support workshops, purchasing resource materials, and professional development for educators to deliver culturally appropriate programs.
The program is aligned with the PRA's objectives, with a key focus on enhancing preschool participation and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and developmentally vulnerable children.
The Commonwealth Government and all states and territories are signatories to the PRA, which sets out the national reform agenda aimed at strengthening the delivery of preschool education to better prepare children for their first year of school.
Applications open today and close on 14 August. Full grant details are available on Child Australia website at ECEC WA Grant Program Child Australia.
As stated by Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"We know that quality Early Childhood Education and Care services play an important role in ensuring children are set up for success later in life.
"By funding programs to promote enrolment and improve attendance we're giving more young Western Australians a leg up early in life.
"It's fantastic to partner with Child Australia and the Commonwealth Government in delivering these grants to our Early Childhood and Care sector.
"The Cook Government is committed to ensuring the best outcomes possible for our State's children."
Comments attributed to Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Dr Anne Aly:
"All children, no matter their background or where they live, should be able to access the transformational benefits of quality Early Childhood Education and Care.
"We know that children who access quality early learning do better on key measures throughout life - from improved health and education outcomes to going on to higher paying jobs in adulthood.
"We're working to build the world-class Early Childhood Education sector our children deserve, that adapts to the needs of Australian families."
