Connected Beginnings program expansion announced by Dr Anne Aly

The Connected Beginnings program will be expanded to support nine new communities, benefiting 3.500 First Nations children and preparing them for a strong start to school, Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth Dr Anne Aly has announced.

SNAICC, National Voice For Our Children, is the new Community Partner for Connected Beginnings. The Department of Health and Aged Care will progressively provide funding for a health partner and additional services in each of the new communities as the program expands.

Connected Beginnings is a key contributor to the Closing the Gap early childhood education targets. It builds partnerships with First Nations communities by supporting community-led decision-making under the National Agreement.

The program connects families to local early childhood education, health and family support services to help young children meet learning and development milestones so they are ready for school. A total of 50 Connected Beginnings sites will be established by 2025, benefitting an estimated 20 per cent of all First Nations children.

“This age bracket of 0-5 years is a small but critical window to get it right when it comes to setting up children for life,” Dr Aly said. 

The funding for the new sites is part of an investment of $81.8 million from the Australian Government to expand the program nationally to 50 sites by 2025.

The locations of the new Connected Beginnings projects are:

• Geraldton (WA)
• South Hedland (WA)
• Mackay (QLD) 
• Eagleby (QLD) 
• Katherine (NT) 
• Ngukurr (NT) 
• Canberra (ACT) 
• Wagga Wagga (NSW) 
• Whittlesea (VIC). 

For more information about Connected Beginnings, visit this website: Connected Beginnings – Department of Education, Australian Government.