The One Tree Wunan Garndim-banjelng Badang Yarrawoo Menewoolbtha service provides high-quality, culturally safe ECEC for up to 38 local children.
The opening follows more than 2 years of dedicated community effort, led by the Wunan Foundation and One Tree Community Services and supported by the Department of Education and SNAICC - National Voice for our Children.
The service's name reflects community consultation and means 'Growing strong roots for strong futures'.
Backed by the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) restricted program, the service is part of a nearly $30 million expansion aimed at establishing new First Nations-led ECEC services in several remote locations. The initiative supports the national commitment to Closing the Gap.
SNAICC is the community partner for services set up under the grant, supporting the establishment and implementation of community-led and culturally safe ECEC.
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Dr Jess Walsh, said:
The opening of the Garndim-banjelng Badang Yarrawoo Menewoolbtha Children's Service is an exciting milestone for First Nations children and families in Kununurra.
The teams at Wunan Foundation and One Tree have been working tirelessly since 2022 to establish this important service, and its opening is a great achievement for the whole community.
Every child should benefit from access to quality and culturally safe early childhood education and care.
Our Government is investing in our regional and remote communities through programs like the Community Child Care Fund.
More families deserve access to quality early childhood education and care in areas where it is needed most. And over the next four years, our Government will invest $500 million to deliver just that."
Read the Minister's media release.
Learn more about how the Community Child Care Fund is reducing barriers to ECEC across Australia.
