A community-run early childhood education and care service has opened in Kowanyama, creating more opportunities for children in the Far North Queensland community.
The One Tree Kowanyama Children's Service, operated by One Tree Community Services on behalf of Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, will now provide high-quality, culturally safe early childhood education and care for up to 30 local children.
The service is part of an early childhood hub located on the grounds of the Kowanyama State School, providing families and children access to long-day care, kindergarten, and support services such as playgroup and health checks.
The opening of One Tree Kowanyama Children's Service follows more than two-years' work by the community, led by the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council in collaboration with One Tree Community Services, and supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, the Queensland Government, and SNAICC - National Voice for our Children.
The service is funded as part of an almost $30 million expansion of the Australian Government's Community Child Care Fund Restricted Program, which supports the establishment of sites run by mainly First Nations-led organisations.
This is another example of the Albanese Government's commitment to the Closing the Gap National Agreement, by expanding participation in early childhood services and increasing access to quality and culturally appropriate early learning.
SNAICC is the community partner for these sites, supporting their establishment and the implementation of community-led and culturally safe early childhood education and care.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Jess Walsh:
"The One Tree Kowanyama Children's Service is a great achievement for the whole community and I congratulate Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council for its leadership.
"Early education gives children a great start in life, and First Nations children deserve access to quality and culturally safe early education and the transformative benefits it offers.
"This service has been created with community, for community.
"It's a place where children can learn and grow strong in their connection to culture.
"The Albanese Labor Government is prioritising investment in our regional and remote communities through programs like the Community Child Care Fund."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith MP:
"Remote communities deserve to have access to the services they need close to home.
"When I visited Kowanyama last year, Territa the Mayor identified to me that education was an area she was particularly keen for the Government to address.
"I'm glad that with the One Tree Kowanyama Children's Service, we have been able to provide the educational support that the Kowanyama community needs.
"We know the first five years of a child's life is where they learn, develop and begin to shape their future, so giving the children and families of Kowanyama the opportunity to access early childhood education and care is fantastic for everyone."
