New early years centre for Nerang families

Child care services in the Nerang area will receive a welcome boost thanks to a $1.34 million Queensland Government grant for a new early years centre.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the Benevolent Society would receive the funding over three years to operate the new Nerang Early Years Centre.

“The Nerang centre will become a one-stop shop for early childhood services in the northern Gold Coast,” 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 family day care scheme. Hours will also be flexible to meet the needs of working parents.”

Member for Gaven Phil Gray said the Benevolent Society had extensive experience in providing innovative early childhood services.

Mr Gray said the Nerang Early Years Centre would operate 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,” he said.

“The Department of Communities will also provide the Benevolent Society with a modern, newly refurbished facility where the new centre will be established.

“The department is currently working with the Benevolent Society to identify a suitable site for the centre.”

The funding is 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. This includes reducing the need for more intensive and sustained intervention later in life,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said the Nerang Early Years Centre was expected to be operational before the end of the year.

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280