- Almost $900,000 in funding for local governments to deliver initiatives improving the wellbeing and school readiness of children aged up to 5 years
- Local Government Authorities to work with families, Early Years Networks, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, schools, Early Childhood Education and Care providers, playgroups, and other organisations to improve outcomes for children
The Cook Labor Government is supporting Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to improve early childhood outcomes, with a total of $889,686 awarded for programs tailored to the needs of individual communities.
Twelve LGAs will receive the funding, which is provided through the Local Government Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Grant Program.
LGAs will work in partnership with families, Early Years Networks, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, schools, Early Childhood Education and Care providers, playgroups, and other locally based Government and non-Government organisations to address the developmental needs of young children.
The successful grant recipients will deliver a range of projects which include:
- development of Early Years Action Plans;
- delivery of targeted literacy programs and educational programs focused on the AEDC;
- employment of Early Years Coordinators;
- development and expansion of Early Years Networks; and
- delivery of programs specifically targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The Australian Early Development Census provides vital information which supports local governments to shape early childhood initiatives and policies in their community.
The AEDC data provides a whole-of-population measure of children’s development across five domains and assists Western Australian communities to understand how their young children are developing.
The sixth national data collection for the AEDC is currently underway in schools.
The Local Government Australian Early Development Census Grants Program is funded by the Commonwealth Government and in partnership with the Western Australian Government and the Western Australian Local Government Association.
Further information on grant recipients can be found: Local Government Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) Grants Program (www.wa.gov.au)
As stated by Early Childhood Education Minister Sabine Winton:
“Access to quality childhood and care services play an important role in regional economies, enabling parents to return to work and supporting the operation of regional businesses.
“These grants will support local government authorities to deliver further programs that support children and families in the critical stages of development.
“The initiatives will allow local councils to deliver targeted interventions that address the unique needs of their communities, improving outcomes for children and families.
“The Cook Government is committed to working collaboratively with the Commonwealth to ensure every child has the best possible start to life.”
