Published Tuesday, 30 September, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Toowoomba to host State’s first Indigenous early years centre
Queensland’s first Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centre for Indigenous children and families is coming to Toowoomba North, thanks to almost $1.9 million in capital works funding announced by the State Government today.
Accompanied by Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine, Minister for Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Youth, Lindy Nelson-Carr today inspected the site of the former Toowoomba North Pre-School which will be transformed into the new state-of-the-art child and family services hub over the next year.
“This facility is one of six new Early Childhood Education and Care centres in the pipeline statewide as part of a major push by the Bligh Government to educate children before they start school,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“We understand how vitally important the early years are for all children and our vision is to improve access to prevention and early intervention services to ensure a brighter future for generations to come,” she said.
“With its focus on supporting Indigenous families with young children, through culturally-appropriate practices and services, this centre will be helping to close the gap in life outcomes and opportunities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”
In 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 buy and refurbish six decommissioned pre-school sites in Mackay, Ayr, Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Nanango and Toowoomba.
ECEC centres are specially designed to offer young families of children up to eight years of age access to a wide range of support services from the one convenient location.
The Toowoomba Indigenous ECEC will be managed by the Creche and Kindergarten Association (C&K) Kulila Kindergarten and the Darling Downs Shared Care Association in partnership.
It will include a 24-place kindy for Indigenous children operated by C&K Kulila Kindergarten and an early education and care services hub auspiced by the Darling Downs Shared Care Association.
“The centre will act as a one-stop-shop for support services like playgroups, family support, parenting and women’s groups, child health services such as access to hearing and speech specialists, and reading programs,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“With refurbishment work forecast to wrap-up mid next year, we expect the centre to open to local families in the second half of 2009.
“This significant investment in early years programs is a key plank in Premier Anna Bligh’s vision for Queensland – Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland – which has already seen a commitment to create 240 extra kindergartens statewide by 2014.”
Ms Nelson-Carr also today visited Life Without Barriers to open the organisation’s new regional headquarters at Herries Street, Toowoomba.
“I’m delighted to help celebrate the new life of this much-valued local service which provides crucial accommodation support and other assistance to people with a disability or mental illness, particularly during times of crisis,” the Minister said.
“Life Without Barriers has gone from strength-to-strength since starting its Darling Downs–South West service about two years ago, now providing assistance to about 30 clients on an ongoing basis.”
The regional service was previously run from the organisation’s Ipswich office.
While visiting Toowoomba today, Ms Nelson-Carr today dropped into the Hume Street site of the multi-million-dollar Toowoomba Multi-Tenant Service Centre where refurbishment works are nearing completion.
The centre will bring together three local services under one roof and will act as a one-stop-shop for a wide range of community services.
The Advocacy and Support Centre (TASC), the Toowoomba Older Men’s Network (TOMnet) and the East Creek Neighbourhood Centre are all expected to relocate to the Multi-Tenant Service Centre early next year.
“Under TASC’s management, the Toowoomba Multi-Tenant Service Centre is destined to become a bustling, vibrant hub, providing support and advice for individuals and families alike,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The services will include community education, support, outreach and referral services, as well as targeted support, including free advice, information and referral on legal, tenancy and disability issues for older men.”
Funding for the centre was provided as part of the Queensland Government’s $24.3 million Strengthening Non-Government Organisations project.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Accompanied by Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine, Minister for Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Youth, Lindy Nelson-Carr today inspected the site of the former Toowoomba North Pre-School which will be transformed into the new state-of-the-art child and family services hub over the next year.
“This facility is one of six new Early Childhood Education and Care centres in the pipeline statewide as part of a major push by the Bligh Government to educate children before they start school,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“We understand how vitally important the early years are for all children and our vision is to improve access to prevention and early intervention services to ensure a brighter future for generations to come,” she said.
“With its focus on supporting Indigenous families with young children, through culturally-appropriate practices and services, this centre will be helping to close the gap in life outcomes and opportunities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”
In 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 buy and refurbish six decommissioned pre-school sites in Mackay, Ayr, Beaudesert, Beenleigh, Nanango and Toowoomba.
ECEC centres are specially designed to offer young families of children up to eight years of age access to a wide range of support services from the one convenient location.
The Toowoomba Indigenous ECEC will be managed by the Creche and Kindergarten Association (C&K) Kulila Kindergarten and the Darling Downs Shared Care Association in partnership.
It will include a 24-place kindy for Indigenous children operated by C&K Kulila Kindergarten and an early education and care services hub auspiced by the Darling Downs Shared Care Association.
“The centre will act as a one-stop-shop for support services like playgroups, family support, parenting and women’s groups, child health services such as access to hearing and speech specialists, and reading programs,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“With refurbishment work forecast to wrap-up mid next year, we expect the centre to open to local families in the second half of 2009.
“This significant investment in early years programs is a key plank in Premier Anna Bligh’s vision for Queensland – Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland – which has already seen a commitment to create 240 extra kindergartens statewide by 2014.”
Ms Nelson-Carr also today visited Life Without Barriers to open the organisation’s new regional headquarters at Herries Street, Toowoomba.
“I’m delighted to help celebrate the new life of this much-valued local service which provides crucial accommodation support and other assistance to people with a disability or mental illness, particularly during times of crisis,” the Minister said.
“Life Without Barriers has gone from strength-to-strength since starting its Darling Downs–South West service about two years ago, now providing assistance to about 30 clients on an ongoing basis.”
The regional service was previously run from the organisation’s Ipswich office.
While visiting Toowoomba today, Ms Nelson-Carr today dropped into the Hume Street site of the multi-million-dollar Toowoomba Multi-Tenant Service Centre where refurbishment works are nearing completion.
The centre will bring together three local services under one roof and will act as a one-stop-shop for a wide range of community services.
The Advocacy and Support Centre (TASC), the Toowoomba Older Men’s Network (TOMnet) and the East Creek Neighbourhood Centre are all expected to relocate to the Multi-Tenant Service Centre early next year.
“Under TASC’s management, the Toowoomba Multi-Tenant Service Centre is destined to become a bustling, vibrant hub, providing support and advice for individuals and families alike,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The services will include community education, support, outreach and referral services, as well as targeted support, including free advice, information and referral on legal, tenancy and disability issues for older men.”
Funding for the centre was provided as part of the Queensland Government’s $24.3 million Strengthening Non-Government Organisations project.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280