Early Childhood Development Programs to remain open until 2020

Early Childhood Development Programs will continue to support children with disability until 2020, Education Minister Kate Jones said today.

Ms Jones said the Turnbull Government was withdrawing funding to Queensland’s ECDPs as part of the transition to the NDIS.

“We do not want any child with a disability to be further disadvantaged as part of the transition to NDIS,” she said.

“I know ECDPs do an incredible job in helping prepare children with disability for life at school.

“That’s why I will ensure ECDPs that are supporting children who have not transitioned to NDIS will remain open until 2020.

“We will give parents peace of mind and ensure these services continue to be available to families that need them.

“This will give families an additional 12 months of early intervention services and ensure no child is disadvantaged.”

Ms Jones said the former Newman Government made a plan under the NDIS agreement to stop providing early childhood intervention services through ECDPs.

“Having cut a deal to stop services through ECDPs and now criticise that deal by exploiting vulnerable families is a new low in hypocrisy for Lawrence Springborg,” she said.

“I want to reassure Queensland families that children will continue to receive support from Early Childhood Development Programs until they transition to school or to new providers under the NDIS.

“Under the Federal Government’s NDIS, children with disability will attend their local kindy or playgroup and receive NDIS funded support to meet their early intervention needs.

“Ensuring ECDPs remain open until 2020 will provide further certainty for Queenslanders following the signing of the Bilateral Agreement.”

Media: Matt Jutsum 0408 998 940