- $34.6 million boost for Early Years Partnership, achieving better outcomes for children
- Investment from Cook Government and Minderoo Foundation to fund projects across WA
- Collaboration and co-design with community at the heart of Early Years Partnership
The Cook Labor Government and Minderoo Foundation will continue investing in better outcomes for WA children, with an injection of $34.6 million for the Early Years Partnership.
Funding of $15.6 million has been set aside in the upcoming State Budget to support the 10-year-partnership, while Minderoo Foundation will provide an additional $19 million to ensure continued investment in the critical stages of child development.
This latest commitment builds on the State Government's existing investment into the Early Years Partnership.
The Early Years Partnership is a collaboration between the State Government, Minderoo Foundation and the Telethon Kids Institute. It aims to improve the development, health and learning of children aged 0-4 years across its partner communities of Armadale, Central Great Southern, Derby and Bidyadanga.
Each Early Years Partnership community has led the development of their own Community Plan, identifying key priorities to improve children's wellbeing and school readiness. The communities are supported to develop evidence-based solutions which are implemented at the local level.
The combined funding uplift will deliver 24 priority projects under the Early Years Partnership, supporting significant progress on the implementation of Community Plans.
These projects include the construction of an Early Learning and Family Centre (Derby), additional support for child dental health services (Great Southern Region), increased Child and Maternal Health Checks (Armadale West), and more accommodation for visiting early years and family support service providers (Bidyadanga).
The budget boost will also help deliver improved access to early learning, support early identification and intervention of developmental delay, and provide critical family supports to enable children's development and school readiness.
The Early Years Partnership is evaluated independently by Telethon Kids Institute, ensuring the model can be utilised in communities facing similar challenges, benefiting all Western Australian families and communities.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"An investment in the early years of a child's life is an investment in the future.
"The Early Years Partnership provides the foundations for our children to grow and learn, and sets up communities for success.
"I'm proud that my Government is continuing to invest in this important partnership with Minderoo Foundation, to deliver projects across the State."
As stated by Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"The first five years of a child's life are critical to their development and life outcomes.
"This investment will ensure the Early Years Partnership continues to promote new ways of working to achieve great results for children, families and the wider community.
"The Early Years Partnership prioritises community-led decision-making and partnerships to implement solutions that build upon the strengths of each community and addresses their unique challenges.
"The Cook Government acknowledges the generous support of Minderoo Foundation, as well as the local leadership and advocacy of the partner communities of Armadale West, Central Great Southern, Derby and Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community."
As stated by Minderoo Foundation Co-Founder Nicola Forrest AO:
"This investment by Minderoo Foundation and the State Government marks a major commitment toaddressingadversityand empowering stronger communities to benefit the families and children of Western Australia.
"Minderoo has a core focus on community-led, placed-based approaches to uplift child and community wellbeing and we congratulate the State Government on having the conviction to co-fund and the courage to trial innovative solutions that can circuit break cycles of intergenerational disadvantage.This firm commitment will enable the Early Years Partnership to have real, lasting impact on children and families in WA and beyond."
