Key Elements
- The Government is providing $59.4 million over four years to improve the infrastructure, governance and workforce of around 140 centre-based Budget Base Funded (BBF) early childhood services (including around 100 Indigenous services). BBF services are predominantly located in rural, remote and Indigenous communities and in many communities, BBF services are the sole provider of early childhood education and care services.
- The funding will cover major infrastructure works, workforce improvements and internal governance training. It will assist centre-based BBF early childhood services to meet the key aspects of the new National Quality Standards relating to physical environment and children’s health and wellbeing, safety, staffing and governance requirements.
- As well as having a positive impact on children, families and the community, the measure will also provide increased opportunities for training and employment of local people in the early childhood sector.
Background
- BBF services can ease the transition to primary school. High-quality services can have a direct and positive impact on the future education, employment and health outcomes of children, with substantial long-term cost savings from improved health and productivity and reduced expenditure on social services.
- Children attending BBF services, including in rural and remote areas, should expect to receive the same quality service as children attending services in urban and regional areas.
Implementation
- Ensuring that Indigenous BBF services continue to operate with an improved quality of service supports the Council of Australian Governments Closing the Gap targets relating to outcomes for Indigenous children.
- All centre-based BBF services in remote service delivery communities will be prioritised in phase one of the rollout of infrastructure improvements.
Total Government Funding
- The Government is providing $59.4 million over four years from 2010-11 to 2013-14 for this measure.
Content Updated: 23 May 2012
