Expanding access to early education in Queensland

• The Federal and State Governments deliver funding for new and expanded not-for-profit early learning services across Queensland.
• Joint investment to create 277 early childhood education places by the end of 2028.

The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are partnering to deliver five new and expanded not-for-profit early learning services across Southern and Central Queensland.

The Albanese Government will invest $44.93 million through the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to build new early childhood education and care services at Rosewood State School, Yarrabilba State School, Clermont State School, Chinchilla South on state-owned land, and a new Far North Queensland service.

This announcement will support the creation of at least 277 early childhood education and care places by the end of 2028.

The $1 billion Building Early Education Fund provides capital funding to build or expand early learning services in areas of need, including regional communities and outer suburbs, helping families access quality early learning close to home.

The Building Fund helps deliver more quality centres co-located at schools.  This will help families avoid the double drop-off and help children smoothly transition to school.

These investments will support workforce participation, strengthen regional communities and help more children get a great start in life.

Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare said the Building Early Education Fund was helping deliver more quality early education places for families in communities that need them most.

“Where you grow up shouldn’t determine whether you can access early education," Minister Clare said. 

“These projects in Queensland mean more families can access early learning close to home and more children start school ready to go and ready to learn.”

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, Senator Dr Jess Walsh, said the Albanese and Queensland Governments are partnering to deliver more early learning centres for Queensland children and families.

“Every child deserves access to quality early learning – no matter their postcode," Minister Walsh said. 

“Our $1 billion Building Early Education Fund is delivering more early learning centres for more families in more places, particularly in our outer suburbs and regions.

“These projects mean more families can access early learning close to home and more children can get the best possible start in life.

“This is an important building block of our universal early childhood education system.”

Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government welcomes this partnership to provide Queensland families with more childcare services.

“We look forward to being able to provide funding to these services to expand our Free Kindy program, which is delivering improved access in regional communities and outer suburbs," Minister Langbroek said. 

“Our $20 million investment in the early years workforce will support these new locations, providing access to scholarships, Kindy Uplift, and Kindy Inclusion Support."

More information about the Building Early Education Fund is available at: Building Early Education Fund - Department of Education, Australian Government

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Minister Walsh, Alex Beech – 0400 887 064

Minister Langbroek, Greg Thomson – 0447 221 816