Published Monday, 08 September, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BLIGH GOVERNMENT DELIVERS WORLD CLASS EDUCATION
Premier Bligh has committed to creating an extra 240 kindergartens in Queensland by 2014 under far reaching plans for a state-wide early childhood education revolution.
Ms Bligh said the Queensland Government scheme - costed at up to $300 million - will be delivered in partnership with the Australian Government over the next six years.
The scheme is part of a far reaching education project to provide all Queensland children with access to high quality early education before they start school.
“This represents the single largest investment in kindergarten education by any Queensland government,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“I want Queensland to offer its children a truly world-class start in life and I believe education is the key that unlocks a child’s potential.
“There are more than 350 State Government funded community kindergartens in Queensland but demand significantly outstrips supply particularly in high growth areas.”
There are currently about 53,000 ‘kindy-aged’ children in Queensland but only 12,000 of them attend kindergarten where a qualified teacher delivers a recognised education program.
Another 29,000 children attend child care centres but less than 10 per cent of these have access to an education program delivered by a qualified teacher.
“These 240 kindergartens will cater for the 12,000 children not currently accessing any early education or care services in Queensland,” said the Premier.
Ms Bligh said the early childhood education initiative would build on the State Government’s successful introduction of the Prep year in 2007.
“Before the introduction of Prep school Queensland children missed out on a year’s education in comparison to other states,” she said.
“This year 97 per cent of eligible children are enrolled in Prep across Queensland and they are reaping the benefits of that.
“These children are making gains in numeracy and literacy and even making greater gains in their physical development, social skills and communication skills.
“That’s why we are now turning our attention to the year before Prep so we can provide the head start that our children deserve.”
Ms Bligh said the Government would extend it’s partnership with the Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland and other providers to establish the extra kindergarten services across the state.
“Extra support will be given to help children and families most in need to access early education services,” she said.
“We will prioritise high population growth areas for the new kindergartens and will test mobile services for small rural and remote communities because I believe that our children’s opportunities in life should not be limited by where they live.
“The State Government will also work with the Australian Government to ensure that all our child care centres receive support to employ qualified early years teachers.”
The Premier said a new Office for Early Childhood Education and Care would be established to bring together responsibility for early education and child care services.
“This new office will take the lead responsibility for children’s early development and will manage the roll out of the new kindergarten services,” said Ms Bligh.
“It will support the child care sector to offer recognised early education programs and provide extra support where needed so that all children can access early education services.
“This project is one step towards making tomorrow’s Queensland everything it is today for our children, only better.”
8 September, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Ms Bligh said the Queensland Government scheme - costed at up to $300 million - will be delivered in partnership with the Australian Government over the next six years.
The scheme is part of a far reaching education project to provide all Queensland children with access to high quality early education before they start school.
“This represents the single largest investment in kindergarten education by any Queensland government,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“I want Queensland to offer its children a truly world-class start in life and I believe education is the key that unlocks a child’s potential.
“There are more than 350 State Government funded community kindergartens in Queensland but demand significantly outstrips supply particularly in high growth areas.”
There are currently about 53,000 ‘kindy-aged’ children in Queensland but only 12,000 of them attend kindergarten where a qualified teacher delivers a recognised education program.
Another 29,000 children attend child care centres but less than 10 per cent of these have access to an education program delivered by a qualified teacher.
“These 240 kindergartens will cater for the 12,000 children not currently accessing any early education or care services in Queensland,” said the Premier.
Ms Bligh said the early childhood education initiative would build on the State Government’s successful introduction of the Prep year in 2007.
“Before the introduction of Prep school Queensland children missed out on a year’s education in comparison to other states,” she said.
“This year 97 per cent of eligible children are enrolled in Prep across Queensland and they are reaping the benefits of that.
“These children are making gains in numeracy and literacy and even making greater gains in their physical development, social skills and communication skills.
“That’s why we are now turning our attention to the year before Prep so we can provide the head start that our children deserve.”
Ms Bligh said the Government would extend it’s partnership with the Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland and other providers to establish the extra kindergarten services across the state.
“Extra support will be given to help children and families most in need to access early education services,” she said.
“We will prioritise high population growth areas for the new kindergartens and will test mobile services for small rural and remote communities because I believe that our children’s opportunities in life should not be limited by where they live.
“The State Government will also work with the Australian Government to ensure that all our child care centres receive support to employ qualified early years teachers.”
The Premier said a new Office for Early Childhood Education and Care would be established to bring together responsibility for early education and child care services.
“This new office will take the lead responsibility for children’s early development and will manage the roll out of the new kindergarten services,” said Ms Bligh.
“It will support the child care sector to offer recognised early education programs and provide extra support where needed so that all children can access early education services.
“This project is one step towards making tomorrow’s Queensland everything it is today for our children, only better.”
8 September, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500