The 4-year plan focuses on early childhood education interventions and support systems and has been co-designed with experts and families to meet the needs of Queensland communities.
We know that the first 5 years of a child’s life are the most important in terms of development and participation in early childhood education and care services, including playgroup and kindergarten, is vital.
These services can have a tremendous impact on a child’s intellectual, emotional and social development.
Prioritising our youngest Queenslanders and focusing on intervention and prevention in the early years is a targeted investment to improve outcomes and break cycles of disadvantage.
When children are healthy, well and supported in their early development journey, they have the greatest chance of long-term positive outcomes.
Extended free kindergarten program for children in discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
To complement the introduction of free kindergarten, the Queensland Government will support up to 600 kindergarten-age children residing in discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities each year to access a free, extended hours kindergarten program.
Extended kindergarten hours will be offered in state delivered kindergartens and sessional kindergartens in discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities under a staged implementation approach over the next 3 years.
Schools and service providers will be supported by the department to implement a model aligned to the context and needs of the community.
Early childhood coordinators
The Queensland Government will fund the establishment of 36 early childhood coordinators in selected communities.
These coordinators will play a critical role in communities, including discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to support children and families to transition positively and confidently from home to early childhood services and into school, and supporting enhanced child and family health services and developmental checks in partnership with Queensland Health.
Supported playgroups in targeted locations
The extra investment in supported playgroups will allow families greater access to early years services that meet their needs and facilitate access to other child development services.
PQKF also includes initiatives that support families and children as they transition to Prep and through the early years of school.
The Queensland Government and the department will work in partnership with communities, Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, early childhood providers, other government agencies, schools and stakeholders to implement these important initiatives and to determine a model that meets their needs.