More support for Queensland children and their families

Child development support services for Queensland children and their families will be increased thanks to a Queensland Government grant of more than $800,000.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the Playgroup Association of Queensland would receive the funding to establish 45 supported playgroups throughout Queensland, including rural and remote areas such as Cape York.

Mr Pitt, who will attend the Playgroup Association of Queensland’s annual awards tonight in Brisbane, said the association had been allocated a one-off grant of $11,855 to help buy equipment and $267,337 each year for three years to provide the services.

“The Playgroup Association plans to use these funds to provide vulnerable children and their families with high-quality, supported playgroups,” Mr Pitt said.

“Playgroups will be established in metropolitan, rural and remote areas of Queensland and will provide support to families with various needs, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, and culturally and linguistically diverse families.

“There will be a particular emphasis on involving children who are at risk of developmental delay,” he said.

The Department of Communities will work with the Playgroup Association to determine which Queensland communities have little or no playgroup activity when choosing the location of the 45 supported playgroups.

Two specialist Indigenous Supported Playgroup workers, one based in Cairns and one in Brisbane, will also be employed to support the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community playgroups.

Mr Pitt said the Playgroup Association of Queensland would work in conjunction with existing community services in the region to deliver an integrated response to the needs of local children and families.

“These funds are part of a $6 million, three-year funding program to extend existing prevention and early intervention services for young children and their families,” he said.

“These additional services will help to ensure that Queensland children are nurtured, healthy and safe, and that families of young children are supported.”

Mr Pitt said the Department of Communities funding initiative was based on extensive research highlighting several long-term positive outcomes from investing in early years services for children and their families.

”The primary aim of early intervention and prevention strategies is to improve the safety, wellbeing and development of vulnerable children and their families.

“It is well known that experiences early in a child’s life shapes their immediate and future wellbeing, so investing in additional supported playgroups is not only a wise investment for the future but a logical move for the present.

“It is better to invest in the early years and promote healthy child development, rather than to fund costly solutions to more complex problems in later life,” he said.

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280