Remote kindy boost with schools pilot

Queensland children in 13 rural and remote communities will have an opportunity to attend kindergarten at their local state school from next year.

Education Minister Kate Jones said the Remote Kindergarten Pilot would use existing capacity in state schools to make face-to-face kindergarten available to more children.

“Children in rural and remote Queensland were the first in the country to be able to participate in a distance kindergarten program thanks to the launch of eKindy in 2013,” Ms Jones said.

“From next year the Remote Kindergarten Pilot will build on the success of eKindy by enabling children living in some remote areas to participate in a kindergarten program at their local state school.

“The program will be delivered by the schools’ Prep teachers with additional teacher aide support provided if needed.

“The pilot will start at selected state schools in Term 2, 2016, with kindergarten delivered within a composite class with Prep and/or Year 1 students.”

Ms Jones said the pilot was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to provide access to a quality kindergarten program for all Queensland children, regardless of where they live.

“The eKindy distance education model is an important part of fulfilling that commitment,” she said.

“However, parents and families have told us the eKindy model is not suitable for all families and children as it has limited opportunities for socialisation and requires significant time from the parent or caregiver.

“That is why 13 selected schools will be invited to deliver the Remote Kindergarten Pilot next year.”

Ms Jones said schools in Aramac, Augathella, Bedourie, Boulia, Birdsville, Dingo, Eromanga, Greenvale, Marlborough, Pentland, Thargomindah, Valkyrie and Muttaburra had already been operating eKindy “clusters” in 2015.

“Under the pilot these schools will be recognised as “prescribed state schools” to satisfy legislative and regulatory requirements,” she said.

“Participation in the pilot is voluntary and by invitation only with schools required to meet eligibility requirements like the school being at least 50 kilometres from existing approved early childhood education and care services.”

More information on the Remote Kindergarten Pilot is available by calling the Kindy Hotline on 1800 4 KINDY (1800 454 639).

Media: Minister Jones’ office 3719 7530