The Albanese Government has announced the Connected Beginnings program will expand, to help more First Nations children get access to quality early childhood education.
On 27 August, Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly announced more than $2 million for Three Rivers Regional Assembly Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the Connected Beginnings program in the regional town of Dubbo, New South Wales.
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 Dubbo will support around 1,000 local First Nations children and will join 43 other locations across the country already supporting around 20,700 First Nations children.
Closing the Gap
The unique program is a key contributor to the early childhood targets set in Closing the Gap and builds partnerships with First Nations communities by supporting community-led decision-making under the National Agreement.
The Government partners with SNAICC National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the Connected Beginnings program.
“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,” says Aly.
“The Connected Beginnings program is delivering significant positive results for First Nations children right across the country, helping to Close the Gap.
“Connected Beginnings is empowering communities to design and deliver the program in a way which supports their individual needs and aspirations.”
The community-owned and led program is achieving results for First Nations Children, by driving an increase in pre-school enrolments and improvements to developmental outcomes.
The new Dubbo site is part of an $81.8 million Government investment to expand the program 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.
Setting kids up for best start in life
Other Connected Beginnings sites in NSW include Doonside, Mount Druitt, Taree, Bourke, Wagga Wagga, Broken Hill, Gosford and Wyong.
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Ged Kearney says “Labor is committed to closing the health gap that leads to a significantly lower life expectancy for First Nations people”.
“From childcare, to pre-school, to primary school, Connected Beginnings is setting First Nations kids up for best start in life,” she says.
Senator for New South Wales Deborah O’Neill believes the program “will have a meaningful impact on the Dubbo community”.
“This program will help ensure that First Nations children in Dubbo are supported in meeting the learning and development milestones necessary to thrive later in life,” she says.
Supported by community strength and knowledge
SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle agrees.
“Connected Beginnings is an impactful and proven program that draws on upon the strength and knowledge of the local community to ensure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children get the support they need to successfully transition to big school,” she says.
Through the program, Liddie says the Three Rivers Regional Assembly Aboriginal Corporation will create initiatives that improve access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services so children are safe, healthy and ready to thrive in Dubbo.
“Existing sites have also seen an increase in the number of children on track in all five Australian early development census domains,” says Liddie.
“It’s an excellent example of what can be achieved when you listen and involve community. At existing Connected Beginnings sites, the average attendance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in centre-based care has increased by more than 10 per cent.”
