FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS DVD RELEASED

Education Queensland has produced a vibrant DVD which brings to life a quality early learning program in some of the most remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland.

Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said the DVD demonstrates best practice in quality early learning programs by showing teachers, teacher aides and school administrators working with young children to build on the learning experiences from their families and communities.

“A key part of the program builds bridges between children’s homes and the early learning program, building on what they already know and bring to the program,” he said.

“It is very much based on children feeling proud and strong about their culture and identity.”

The Foundations for Success DVD is a professional development resource to help educators delivering pre-Prep programs across 35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities.

It will be distributed this week to support the ongoing professional development of staff.

“The Foundations for Success program provides educators with a framework for planning, implementing and reflecting on a quality early learning program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from 3½ to 4½ years in the year before Prep in Queensland,” Mr Wilson said.

“Research has shown the importance of the early years in laying the foundation for children's success in schooling and in later life.

“A quality early learning program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities reinforces personal and cultural identities, connects with families and communities, and provides the foundations for children's successful learning.

“Feedback was actively sought on the development of the DVD resource from Indigenous and non-Indigenous early childhood academics and practitioners as well as the Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee.”

Foundations for Success is part of Queensland’s commitment to achieving the COAG ‘Closing the Gap’ target of ensuring all Indigenous four year olds in remote communities have access to quality early childhood education by 2013 and the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 target for ‘All children to have access to a quality early childhood education, so they are ready for school’.

For more information about Foundations for Success visit http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/indigenous/projects/pre-prep.html The DVD will be available to educators implementing the program.

Around 70% of Indigenous children living in remote parts of Queensland are accessing a quality early childhood education programs, largely due to the pre-Prep program.

This week is National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week, which runs until July 11.

Media contact: 3237 1000
July 7, 2010