The Government is funding a new community-led early childhood education and care service on Horn Island in the Torres Strait.
Once established, the service will provide care to about 25 children.
The new centre is part of the Australian Government's $30 million expansion of the Community Child Care Fund Restricted (CCCFR) Expansion Program.
It is set to be run by the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC), the registered native title prescribed body corporate that looks after the land, seas and interests of the Kaurareg People.
KNTAC is partnering with Astute Early Years Specialists and Goodstart Early Learning to establish the Ngurupai Early Childhood Education and Care Service.
The Ngurupai Early Childhood Education and Care Service is the ninth site to be announced under the CCCFR Expansion Program.
The CCCFR Expansion Program establishes new early childhood education and care services in remote and very remote areas to increase participation in culturally appropriate early childhood education and care for First Nations children and families.
This is another example of the Albanese Government's commitment to the Closing the Gap National Agreement, in particular increasing the role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, Senator Dr Jess Walsh:
"This new service will give First Nations children on Horn Island access to the benefits of culturally inclusive early education.
"We know that quality early learning results in better health outcomes, improved school readiness and higher paying jobs later in life.
"Quality and safe early education is beneficial for all children, and particularly for those living in remote and very remote areas such as Horn Island."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith MP:
"The lack of available early education on Horn Island (Ngurupai) has been brought up to me by many locals on my visits to the region.
"This funding will be a game changer for many families on Horn Island (Ngurupai), many of whom have had to travel to Thursday Island in the past to access early education.
"The Albanese Labor Government will not leave local communities behind, and this funding will make sure there are more jobs and opportunities for families on Horn Island (Ngurupai).
"Remote communities deserve to have access to the services they need close to home.
"This would not be possible without the work of the previous Miles Labor Government, former state member for Cook Cynthia Lui and hard work of the Kuarareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC)."
