The Federal Government’s successful Connected Beginnings program is set to expand to the Central Coast.
Minister for Early Childhood Education and Care Anne Aly recently announced $3.8M for Barang Regional Alliance to deliver Connected Beginnings sites in Wyong and Gosford.
The program connects First Nations children aged up to five with a range of early childhood health, education and family support services – helping children meet the learning and development milestones necessary to achieve a positive transition to school.
In communities where the program is already established, increases in hours of centre-based childcare and preschool enrolments and in the number of children on track in all five Australian Early Development Census domains have been noted.
The new Central Coast sites will support about 2,400 First Nations children.
The program is a key contributor to the early childhood targets set in Closing the Gap.
It builds partnerships with First Nations communities by supporting community-led decision-making.
The new Wyong and Gosford sites are part of an $81.8M investment to expand the program to 50 sites across the country.
Once all 50 sites are established the program has the potential to support up to 20 per cent of all First Nations children aged up to five.
Aly said all children, no matter their background or where they lived, should be able to access the transformational benefits of quality early childhood education and care.
“The structure of Connected Beginnings means that each community is empowered to design and deliver the program in a way which supports their individual needs and aspirations,” she said.
Member for Dobell Emma McBride said early learning was one of the most powerful tools in Closing the Gap.
“Programs like Connected Beginnings help make sure First Nations children in our community are school ready,” she said.
“The Central Coast Connected Beginnings sites will provide wraparound education and health support to around 2,400 local First Nations children in the critical first five years of life.”
A spokesperson for Barang Regional Alliance said the Connected Beginnings funding marked the first genuine commitment to enhancing early childhood, maternal and family support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on the Central Coast.
“Our focus is on incorporating Aboriginal world views into diverse practices, fostering cultural relevance and inclusivity, and ensuring holistic support for children and their families,” the spokesperson said.
The Government partners with SNAICC National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the Connected Beginnings program.