General News
Goodstart teams up with Charter Hall to support vulnerable children
Freya Lucas
Jan 27, 2022
Save
Early childhood REIT, Charter Hall, will donate to Goodstart Early Learning’s Early Learning Fund over the next two years, providing fee relief for up to 55 families in a significant partnership, the first in Australia which sees an early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider and a landlord working in unison to improve access to early learning.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with our existing partner, Charter Hall, to make a real difference in the lives of children thanks to this philanthropic funding,” Goodstart CEO Julia Davison said.Each eligible child supported under the partnership will receive a minimum of two days of early learning and care each week at a Goodstart early learning centre during the two years before school.
All children and families supported by the Early Learning Fund are living below the poverty line, and the unique partnership between Goodstart, Benevolent and Uniting (NSW/ACT) supports those who are at risk of abuse or neglect, living in hardship, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and refugee and humanitarian entrants.
Partnering with Charter Hall, Ms Davison said, will create tangible community and social impact.
“There are many barriers for children and their families – who are experiencing vulnerability – which can stop them attending early learning and care – and cost is on the top of the list. We know the most vulnerable children gain the most from participating in our high quality and inclusive programs ahead of starting school.”
The Early Learning Fund aims to address these concerns by acting as a ‘safety net’ when there is no government assistance available or where those support avenues have been exhausted.
Speaking on behalf of Charter Hall, Managing Director and CEO David Harrison said he was proud to support this partnership, which is aligned with the Group’s mission to promote positive social inclusion and help our vulnerable communities.
“Partnering with our tenant customer, Goodstart Early Learning, presents another opportunity for Charter Hall Group to build on our long history of supporting local communities to achieve better futures,” he said.
“At Charter Hall, we’ve always held a belief that the best investments begin when people and business work together towards shared goals, this includes partnering to have a positive impact on our communities in which we operate. Our partnership with the Goodstart Early Learning Fund is another way we can create strong communities and customer partnerships.”
“We know many of the children set to benefit from this funding are the very children that are attending our CQE owned assets where Goodstart operates its early learning programs,” Travis Butcher, Fund Manager for the Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (CQE) added.
“We’re proud to be part of a solution that is creating more inclusive communities, where no child in Australia misses out on vital access to early learning and care before they start school.”
To learn more about the Early Learning Fund please see here.
Don’t miss a thing
Related topics
Quality
Provider
WorkforceGeneral News
EconomicsAffordability & Accessibility
Practice
ResearchCorporate activity
Supply & Demand
PolicyChanges
Legislation
Politics
Reporting
Examples
Report Summaries
Compliance
In The Field
Outside School Hours Care
Advocacy
Leadership
Marketplace
Professional development
Services
Long Day Care
Understanding Children
Jobs News
NQF and Policy Changes
Events News
Personnel Appointments
Family Day Care
Enterprise Solutions
Products
Innovative Research
Other
Property
Preschool
