SNAICC – National Voice for our Children welcomes the Federal Government measures revealed in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s early years development.
MYEFO reveals a continuation of funding for SNAICC’s Early Years Support (EYS) which provides direct and tailored assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled (ACCO) early years services across NSW, VIC and WA. The Government will also provide $11.4 million to extend the Early Childhood Care & Development Policy Partnership (ECCDPP) for three years.
Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC said SNAICC’s Early Years Support is making a significant impact on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families by providing them with access to high-quality, culturally appropriate early childhood education.
“Closing the Gap starts with our children and that starts with early learning and care services. If those services are operationally strong, appropriately resourced and represented at the highest levels of government, then we know our children will be supported to thrive in their early years,” Ms Liddle said.
“The program currently works directly with 72 ACCOs across NSW, VIC and WA to support 2122 children and families, with 1771 being Aboriginal. This funding will support the continuation of that work.
“The EYS Program funding is essential for the sustainability of these essential services which drive on-the-ground progress towards Closing the Gap.”
Also funded, the ECCDPP is a critical shared decision-making mechanism with Australian Governments to improve early childhood outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The partnership was set up under Priority Reform 1 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“The ECCDPP is a key driver behind the Government’s recent commitments to remover the activity test and invest capital grants for Early Learning centres in regional and remote areas across the country.
“Those policy wins will directly benefit the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander families and young people and the wider sector by working in genuine partnership to identifying the reforms needed to drive community-led early childhood care and development outcomes.”
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