New early years centre for Caboolture families

Child care services in the Caboolture area will receive a welcome boost thanks to nearly $1.3 million in Queensland Government funding for a new early years centre.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said The Gowrie (Qld) community service organisation would receive the funding over three years to operate the new Caboolture Early Years Centre.

“The Caboolture centre will become a one-stop shop for early childhood services,” Mr Pitt said.

“It will offer families and their children, up to the age of eight, high-quality family support and integrated early childhood education, care and health services, as well as a school-aged care service. Hours will also be flexible to meet the needs of working parents.”

Member for Pumicestone Carryn Sullivan said The Gowrie (Qld) had an established history of providing quality early childhood education and care services in the region.

Ms Sullivan said the Caboolture Early Years Centre would work in conjunction with existing early childhood education and care services in the area, providing specialist support and professional development opportunities for local children.

“Specialist early years multi-disciplinary teams will provide services from the centre via at least two satellite locations in nearby suburbs and through outreach and home visiting services,” she said.

“The Department of Communities will also provide The Gowrie (Qld) with a modern, newly refurbished facility where the new centre will be established. The department will now work with The Gowrie (Qld) to identify a suitable site for the centre.”

Member for Glass House Carolyn Male said the funding was part of a Queensland Government commitment to establish four new early years centres in the next four years.

“The Queensland Early Years Strategy has identified several positive long-term outcomes of investing in early years services for children and their families,” Ms Male said.

“This includes reducing the need for more intensive and sustained intervention later in life.”

Ms Male said the Caboolture Early Years Centre was expected to be operational before the end of the year.

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280