Published Thursday, 28 August, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Mackay centre to lead state in early childhood focus: Minister
With just weeks to go until the doors of Queensland’s first new Early Childhood Education and Care Centre opens, Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr will this Sunday, August 31, hand over the keys during the Bligh Government’s Community Cabinet visit to Mackay.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Mackay centre will be the first of 10 new centres to open statewide.
“I am pleased to announce the Mackay centre will be granted a peppercorn rent of just $1 a year to give local families every opportunity to access services from this vital community hub,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This nominal rent is aimed at ensuring the hub can hit the ground running and give local children the best start even before they attend school,” she said.
“We understand how vitally important the early years are for our children and our vision is to improve access to prevention and early intervention services to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
“The Early Childhood Education and Care Centres are a critical part of this vision, offering young families access to a wide range of support services from the one convenient location.”
In the 2007-08, the Queensland Government committed $20 million under The Best Start initiative to relocate or establish ECEC services close to schools, including more than $14 million to purchase and refurbish six decommissioned pre-school sites which are located at Mackay, Ayr, Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Nanango and Toowoomba.
Local Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin welcomed the news.
“The new hub will be located at the site of the former Victoria Park Pre-school and carry the very apt name of the Shakespeare Child and Family Centre,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It will provide important help for families with children aged up to school age and will also accommodate a School Hours Care Service to provide parents with before and after-school care,” he said.
“In particular, the centre will act as a one-stop-shop for support services like school-aged care, family support, playgroups, parent support groups and visiting child health services.
“With refurbishment work almost complete, I’m really looking forward to the centre opening, with the centre scheduled to welcome the first local families as soon as next month.”
The centre will be managed by the George Street Neighbourhood Centre, in partnership with the Mackay Children’s Support Program.
George Street Neighbourhood Centre (GSNC) manager Nola Sneyd said the centre would provide integrated services tailored for younger families, as well as vital additional community space.
“Operating from one hub will enable us to provide improved referral services, while additional space also means we can expand our community projects and collaborative activities with other community groups,” Ms Sneyd said.
“We’re also excited about our new partnerships with the Mackay Children’s Support Program,” she said.
Ms Nelson-Carr also said she was pleased to announce the George Street Neighbourhood Association would also provide another important local initiative – the Early Years Health and Wellbeing Program.
“This program will improve access to prevention and early intervention services for children in Prep and their families through a referral service facilitated by local schools,” said the Minister.
The centre has been allocated $540,000 over three years to employ a facilitator and community liaison worker, as well as $85,000 in establishment costs to deliver the Early Years Health and Wellbeing Program.
“These new resources will strengthen the George Street Neighbourhood Centre’s capacity to deliver high-quality services for local children and families, especially working parents,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“They all form part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to investing in early childhood development, for the long-term benefit of children and families across the state.”
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office - 3235 4280, GSNC manager Nola Sneyd on 4957 2626
August 28, 2008
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Mackay centre will be the first of 10 new centres to open statewide.
“I am pleased to announce the Mackay centre will be granted a peppercorn rent of just $1 a year to give local families every opportunity to access services from this vital community hub,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This nominal rent is aimed at ensuring the hub can hit the ground running and give local children the best start even before they attend school,” she said.
“We understand how vitally important the early years are for our children and our vision is to improve access to prevention and early intervention services to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
“The Early Childhood Education and Care Centres are a critical part of this vision, offering young families access to a wide range of support services from the one convenient location.”
In the 2007-08, the Queensland Government committed $20 million under The Best Start initiative to relocate or establish ECEC services close to schools, including more than $14 million to purchase and refurbish six decommissioned pre-school sites which are located at Mackay, Ayr, Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Nanango and Toowoomba.
Local Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin welcomed the news.
“The new hub will be located at the site of the former Victoria Park Pre-school and carry the very apt name of the Shakespeare Child and Family Centre,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It will provide important help for families with children aged up to school age and will also accommodate a School Hours Care Service to provide parents with before and after-school care,” he said.
“In particular, the centre will act as a one-stop-shop for support services like school-aged care, family support, playgroups, parent support groups and visiting child health services.
“With refurbishment work almost complete, I’m really looking forward to the centre opening, with the centre scheduled to welcome the first local families as soon as next month.”
The centre will be managed by the George Street Neighbourhood Centre, in partnership with the Mackay Children’s Support Program.
George Street Neighbourhood Centre (GSNC) manager Nola Sneyd said the centre would provide integrated services tailored for younger families, as well as vital additional community space.
“Operating from one hub will enable us to provide improved referral services, while additional space also means we can expand our community projects and collaborative activities with other community groups,” Ms Sneyd said.
“We’re also excited about our new partnerships with the Mackay Children’s Support Program,” she said.
Ms Nelson-Carr also said she was pleased to announce the George Street Neighbourhood Association would also provide another important local initiative – the Early Years Health and Wellbeing Program.
“This program will improve access to prevention and early intervention services for children in Prep and their families through a referral service facilitated by local schools,” said the Minister.
The centre has been allocated $540,000 over three years to employ a facilitator and community liaison worker, as well as $85,000 in establishment costs to deliver the Early Years Health and Wellbeing Program.
“These new resources will strengthen the George Street Neighbourhood Centre’s capacity to deliver high-quality services for local children and families, especially working parents,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“They all form part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to investing in early childhood development, for the long-term benefit of children and families across the state.”
Media Contacts: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office - 3235 4280, GSNC manager Nola Sneyd on 4957 2626
August 28, 2008