Families in Australia's most remote locations will benefit from the establishment of new community-run early childhood education and care services.
Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly today announced almost $30 million for four new early childhood education and care services thanks to the expansion of the Government's Community Child Care Fund Restricted Program.
"All Australian children should be able to access quality early childhood education and care regardless of where they live," Dr Aly said.
"We know that when children access quality early childhood education and care they do better throughout life, from better health outcomes, improved school readiness and higher paying jobs later in life.
"These new services will ensure more First Nations children can access the transformational health and education benefits of early childhood education and care while also being better prepared for their first years of school"
The sites will be run by First Nations led organisations in the following locations:
- Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation in Tennant Creek, NT
- Puuya Foundation in Lockhart River, QLD
- Napranum Aboriginal Land Council in Napranum, QLD
- Wunan Foundation in Kununurra, WA.
The size of the four sites is expected to range from 20 to 50 First Nations children per site, jointly providing access to vital quality early childhood education and care for up to 200 children per year.
"It's important all of the sites are run by First Nations led organisations, putting culturally appropriate early learning and care at the heart of service delivery," Minister Aly said.
"We're working in partnership with First Nations people to Close the Gap and improve outcomes in early childhood education."
