Ensuring First Nations children in Queensland are school ready

The Albanese 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 $2.9 million for Kummara Limited to deliver the Connected Beginnings program in Ipswich.

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 in Ipswich will support around 1,900 local First Nations children. The Ipswich site joins 45 other locations across the country supporting more than 22,900 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 Ipswich site is part of an $81.8 million Government investment to expand to 50 sites across Australia. 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 Queensland include Bundaberg, Cairns, Doomadgee, Eagleby, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Mareeba, Maryborough, Rasmussen and Rockhampton.

Once all Queensland sites are up and running the program will support around 8,300 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 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 Oxley Milton Dick:

“This new site in Ipswich will provide new support for around 1,900 First Nations children from South-West Brisbane and Ipswich.

“Giving our First Nations children the best possible start in life is a high priority. The support from this program will enable a positive transition into school and will ensure they have better outcomes right through to adulthood.

This is an incredible opportunity for our local community, and for our First Nations children and their futures.”

Quotes attributable to SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle:

“Through this program, Kummara Limited will create initiatives that improve access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services to benefit almost 2,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Ipswich,” Ms Liddle said.

“It’s an excellent example of what can be achieved when you listen and involve community. At existing Connected Beginnings sites, we have seen a significant increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on track in all five Australian early development census domains, so they are ready to thrive at big school and beyond.”

Quotes attributable to Kummara Limited CEO Dr Gerald Featherstone:

“Kummara's Connected Beginnings program, through the support of the Australian Government Department of Education, exemplifies an unwavering commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families by ensuring their voices are central in decisions and planning for generational change.

“This initiative supports children from birth to school age by integrating early childhood education, health, and family support services, the program aims to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their non-Indigenous peers, ensuring our mob are safe, healthy, and ready to thrive at school by the age of five.”