Supporting Children in ECEC WA Grants Program opens second funding round

Funding of more than $1.2 million dollars is being provided to Western Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector through the Preschool Reform Agreement (PRA), to develop and maintain quality preschool programs.

 

The Supporting Children in ECEC WA Grants Program has opened a second round of funding, aiming to enhance preschool participation and outcomes, particularly for specific demographics such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children in regional or remote communities, and those experiencing disadvantage or from diverse backgrounds.  

 

Preschool, commonly known as kindergarten in Western Australia, plays a crucial role in providing children with a solid foundation before starting full-time school. 

 

In recent years the Australian Government and all states and territories have recommitted to strengthening preschool education through the PRA with an ambitious national reform which aims to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early education.

 

Objectives of the PRA include:

 

• maintaining universal access to affordable, quality preschool programs for all children
• improving participation in preschool programs
• maximising the benefit of the preschool year by improving outcomes for children

 

“It’s fantastic to partner with Child Australia and the Commonwealth Government in delivering these grants to our Early Childhood and Care sector,” WA’s Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton said.

 

Aligned with the outcomes of the PRA, the Supporting Children in ECEC WA Grants Program aims to assist early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings in securing funding for initiatives that improve outcomes for children and support their transition to school.

 

Round One of the Supporting Children in ECEC WA Grants Program yielded “remarkable outcomes”, with 16 services successfully receiving over $1 million in funding. This financial support has positively impacted nearly 6,000 children across the region, highlighting the program’s success in fostering high-quality early childhood education.

 

Ewin Early Learning Centre, one of the grant recipients, utilised the funding for comprehensive professional development for their Committee, Educators, and Leadership Team. Additionally, they have designed and constructed a nature-based play area and acquired First Nations teaching aids and resources, enhancing their educational offerings.

 

Goodstart Early Learning has also benefited significantly from the grant, using the funds to support professional learning and development, provide Allied Health Services, and purchase essential educational resources. 

 

These resources include advanced Kindergarten learning environments, as well as Mathematics and Science learning tools, ensuring a robust educational experience for their young learners.

 

Under this round of the program, grants between $20,000 to $100,000 will be available for ECEC organisations in both metropolitan and regional WA to deliver initiatives that develop and maintain quality preschool programs, promote enrolment and regular attendance, and prepare children for school.

 

Examples of the types of initiatives include providing parent support workshops, purchasing resource materials, and professional development for educators to deliver culturally appropriate programs.

 

From 1 July 2024 – 14 August 2024 eligible services are invited to submit applications for the Round Two of the Supporting Children in ECEC WA Grants. 

 

Services are encouraged to review the Grant Guidelines to ensure eligibility and prepare all necessary application requirements for a smooth process. Full Grant details are available on Child Australia’s website.