Connected Beginnings expands to Port Adelaide with Kura Yerlo Incorporated

The Federal Government’s Connected Beginnings program has again expanded, with the appointment of Kura Yerlo Incorporated to deliver the program in South Australia’s Port Adelaide. 

Connected Beginnings is a key contributor to the early childhood targets set in Closing the Gap and is a community led initiative which aims to increase preschool enrolments and drive improvements to developmental outcomes.

The Government partners with SNAICC National Voice for our Children and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to deliver the Connected Beginnings program.

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly announced that $1.8 million will be given to Kura Yerlo Incorporated for the program, which 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 new site in Port Adelaide will support around 350 local First Nations children. Other Connected Beginnings sites in South Australia include, Ceduna, Port Augusta and Salisbury/Playford.

The Port Adelaide site joins 44 other Connected Beginnings locations across Australia which collectively support over  21,000 First Nations children. The Federal Government has invested  $81.8 million 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 zero to five years of age. 

“All children, no matter their background or where they live, should be able to access the transformational benefits of quality early childhood education and care,” Dr Aly said.

Kura Yerlo Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Mary Anne Lovegrove welcomed the announcement, expressing gratitude for the funding to support the community, families, and children.  

“This project aims to give children confidence and the ability to be ready for school, while also providing support to strengthen families and communities,” she said. 

“Kura Yerlo Inc is committed to providing culturally safe and appropriate support for the entire Aboriginal community.”

Learn more about the Connected Beginnings program here. Image: Kura Yerlo Facebook page.