$2.9 million for Kummara Limited to deliver Connected Beginnings

The Connected Beginnings program will once again expand, with Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly announcing $2.9 million for Kummara Limited to deliver the program in Ipswich, Queensland. 

 

Connected Beginnings connects First Nations children aged zero to five years of age 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 Ipswich site will support around 1,900 local First Nations children, and joins 45 other locations across the country collectively supporting more than 21,900 First Nations children.

 

Other Connected Beginnings sites in Queensland include Bundaberg, Cairns, Doomadgee, Eagleby, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Mareeba, Maryborough, Rasmussen and Rockhampton.

 

“Through this program, Kummara Limited will create initiatives that improve access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services to benefit almost 2,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Ipswich,” SNAICC Chief Executive Catherine Liddle said.

 

“It’s an excellent example of what can be achieved when you listen and involve community. At existing Connected Beginnings sites, we have seen a significant increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children on track in all five Australian early development census domains, so they are ready to thrive at big school and beyond.”

 

The Government partners with SNAICC National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the program, which is a community led initiative which is a key contributor to the early childhood Closing the Gap targets, driving an increase in preschool enrolments and improvements to developmental outcomes.

 

Learn more about the Connected Beginnings program here.