Ensuring First Nations children in New South Wales are school ready

The Australian Government is expanding the Connected Beginnings program, helping more First Nations children thrive in the crucial early years. 

Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly today announced $1.8 million for Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation to deliver Connected Beginnings program in Kempsey.

The program connects First Nations children aged zero to five with a range of early childhood education, health and family support services – helping children meet the learning and development milestones necessary to achieve a positive transition to school.

The new site will support around 700 local First Nations children. The Kempsey site joins 47 other locations across the country supporting more than 23,700 First Nations children.

The community-led program is a key contributor to the early childhood Closing the Gap targets, driving an increase in preschool enrolments and improvements to developmental outcomes.

The Government partners with SNAICC - National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the program.

The new Kempsey site is part of an investment of $81.8 million from the Australian Government to expand the program to 50 sites nationally. 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 Bourke, Broken Hill, Doonside, Dubbo, Gosford, Mount Druitt, Taree, Wagga Wagga and Wyong.

Once all New South Wales sites are up and running, the program will support around 6,900 First Nations children across the state.

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.

“Connected Beginnings is delivering significant positive results for First Nations children right across the country, helping to Close the Gap by improving developmental outcomes.

“The Connected Beginnings program is empowering communities 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 SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle:

“SNAICC is very proud to be the Community Partner in the Connected Beginnings program, that is expanding access to culturally-centred early education and care to many more children and families around the country.

“This is helping to drive positive outcomes in early childhood for Aboriginal and Torres Strait children by increasing participation in early education activities and increasing school readiness.

“The benefits of Connected Beginnings extend to the entire community, as we know closing the gap starts with our children.”

Quotes attributable to Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Fred Kelly:

“It is essential that all our Aboriginal children have a sense of their culture and in particular a strong cultural identity. Dalaigur Pre-School and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation provide this through language and culture educators working with both preschools.

“Connected Beginnings is an exciting new program that will provide the resources and services for this solid foundation to be further expanded upon by providing the opportunity to draw upon the experience of existing and new connections and accessing the extensive knowledge from our local community to increase the support for the varied needs of our children.”