25 new kindergartens to open in 2014

Up to 1,000 more Queensland children will be able to participate in a quality early childhood education program after Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek announced that 25 new kindergartens would open across the state next year.

Minister Langbroek said 15 of the new kindergartens would be built on state school sites, while the remaining 10 would be located on other sites, including non-state schools, long day care services and existing kindergartens.

“Both national and international research has shown that children who participate in a quality early childhood education program are better prepared to start school,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The Newman Government is well on-track to delivering universal access to kindergarten by 2014, in line with our commitment under the National Partnership Agreement for Early Childhood Education with the Australian Government.

“The planning process for these 25 new kindergartens is now underway, and comes in addition to the 19 kindergartens that are nearing completion now and are due to open this year.”

Mr Langbroek said the 25 locations had been identified in Queensland communities with the highest demand for kindergarten places.

“Most of the new kindergartens that will be opening next year are located in far north, central and south western communities, where there is the greatest demand for early childhood services,” he said.

“This careful planning will ensure that children in regional and rural communities have the same opportunities before they start school as those in the south-east corner.”

Mr Langbroek said children in more remote areas of Queensland also had access to e-kindy through distance education from this year.

“The Brisbane School of Distance Education (BSDE) has developed a distance kindergarten program for isolated children who cannot access a centre-based early childhood education and care service,” he said.

“The e-kindy program is based on the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines and provides opportunities for children to participate in teacher-delivered lessons and activities online.”

[ENDS] 7 January 2012

Media Contact: Carrie Barlow 0409 110 657

A list of locations for kindergarten services opening in 2014 follows.

State school sites

·         Aurukun Campus of Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy
·         Blackwater North State School
·         Brightwater State School
·         Collingwood Park State School
·         Fernvale State School
·         Glenden State School
·         Gordonvale State School
·         Jinibara State School
·         Lakes Creek State School
·         Mango Hill State School
·         Marian State School
·         Serviceton South State School
·         Undurba State School
·         Waraburra State School
·         Wynnum State School

Non-state sites (exact location TBC)

·         Calen
·         Calliope
·         Dalby
·         Forest Lake
·         Gatton
·         Murrumba Downs
·         North Lakes
·         Redbank Plains
·         Redland Bay
·         Tara