LOCAL LONG DAY CARE CENTRES TO DELIVER KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS

_{06 January, 2010}

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Long day care services in the Eimeo and Blacks Beach region have been selected to participate in the Queensland Government’s 2010 kindergarten pilot program. 

Member for Whitsunday said the service will be among the first long day care services in Queensland to access new state funding for delivering approved kindergarten programs for children in their care.

“This is great news as it offers another option for working families wanting to send their child to a kindergarten program,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Kindergarten provides a world of carefully constructed play that early childhood experts agree develops children's abilities and helps prepare them for school.

“These local services will offer the kindy-age children attending their service the opportunity to participate in a high quality kindergarten program delivered by a qualified teacher for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year.

“Importantly the services will receive funding from the Queensland Government for each eligible child enrolled to assist with the costs associated with delivering the kindergarten program.”

Long day care services in the Whitsunday region expected to participate in the 2010 kindergarten pilot program include:

• ABC Developmental Learning Centre, Eimeo
• Lead Childcare Sunrise, Blacks Beach

“This funding will mean parents who want their child to participate in the kindergarten program provided by the service should not have to pay higher child care fees, nor will it affect their eligibility for the Child Care Benefit.”

Ms Jarratt said the introduction of approved kindergarten programs in long day care services is an important component of the Queensland Government’s plan to provide every child with access to a kindergarten program from 2014.

“The feedback provided by the pilot program participants will be instrumental in shaping the future roll out of kindergarten programs in Queensland long day care services.

For more information about the 2010 kindergarten pilot program and other kindergarten initiatives, please visit www.education.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood

Media contact: Glenda Little

6th January 2010

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