The Albanese Government is helping First Nations children get the best start in life, expanding the successful Connected Beginnings program to the New South Wales Central Coast.
Minster for Early Childhood Education and Care today announced $3.8 million for Barang Regional Alliance to deliver Connected Beginnings sites in Wyong and Gosford.
The program connects First Nations children aged zero to five with a range of early childhood health, education, and family support services - helping children meet the learning and development milestones necessary to achieve a positive transition to school.
In communities where the program is already established we are seeing success in increasing hours of centre-based childcare and preschool enrolments and in the number of children on track in all five Australian Early Development Census domains.
The new Central Coast sites will support around 2,400 First Nations children in the local area.
The program is a key contributor to the early childhood targets set in Closing the Gap. It builds partnerships with First Nations communities by supporting community-led decision-making.
The Government partners with SNAICC National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the Connected Beginnings program, a community-led project achieving results for about 19,600 First Nations children across Australia.
The new Wyong and Gosford sites are part of an $81.8 million investment to expand the program to 50 sites across the Country. Once all 50 sites are established the program has the potential to support up to 20 per cent of all First Nations children aged zero to five.
Other Connected Beginnings sites in New South Wales include Doonside, Mount Druitt, Taree, Bourke, Wagga Wagga and Broken Hill.
Learn more about the Connected Beginnings program at: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/community-child-care-fund/connected-beginnings.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education 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.
"The program is delivering significant positive results for First Nations children; we're already seeing an increase in the hours of early childhood education and care along with an increase in preschool enrolment and improvements to developmental outcomes.
"The structure of Connected Beginnings means that each community is empowered to design and deliver the program in a way which supports their individual needs and aspirations."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Ged Kearney
"Labor is committed to closing the health gap that leads to a significantly lower life expectancy for First Nations people.
"Connected Beginnings is all about centring the voices of First Nations Australian and a community-led approach.
"From child care, to pre-school, to primary school, Connected Beginnings is setting First Nations kids up for best start in life."
Quotes attributable to Member for Dobell Emma McBride
"Early learning is one of the most powerful tools we have in Closing the Gap, programs like Connected Beginnings help make sure First Nations children in our community are school ready.
"The Central Coast Connected Beginnings Sites will provide wrap-around education and health support to around 2,400 local First Nations children in the critical first five years of life."
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Officer of SNAICC Catherine Liddle
"Under Connected Beginnings, more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across the Central Coast will have access to culturally safe integration of services such as maternal and child health, early childhood education and care and family support services.
"The program supports community-led decision making so projects are co-designed to be culturally safe and effective - based on community priorities and the needs of families and children
"The Connected Beginnings program will be delivered across two sites with the support of Barang Regional Alliance, to ensure local children get the support they need to successfully transition to big school."
Quotes attributable to Barang Regional Alliance Ltd
"Connected Beginnings funding marks the first genuine commitment to enhancing early childhood, maternal, and family support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in our region.
"Our focus is on incorporating Aboriginal worldviews into diverse practices, fostering cultural relevance and inclusivity, and ensuring holistic support for children and their families."
