In a new deal for early education in rural and remote Queensland, more kindergarten-aged children are to go to ‘face-to-face’ kindergartens for the first time next year.
Minister for Education, Grace Grace said the Department of Education’s Remote Kindergarten in Schools initiative had been expanded to 20 more schools from Mount Garnet in the Far North to Thallon near the NSW border.
“We know the benefits that flow from kindergarten in giving our kids a great start,” Ms Grace said.
“Kindy helps improve children’s literacy and numeracy skills, social skills and prepares them for school.
“All the research shows the benefits that also flow later in life in terms of improved school results, and better health and employment prospects.”
She said many rural and remote families currently did not have a kindergarten service close to where they lived and the initiative would ensure more kids could access quality kindergarten experiences, no matter where in Queensland they lived.
President of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association, Louise Martin welcomed the news about the new services.
“It’s great to see more State-delivered kindergarten services for our rural and remote families,” Ms Martin said.
She said the Government began its remote kindergartens program in 2016 with 38 schools and now 69 rural and remote State schools have the service.
More than 800 children have attended remote kindergartens since 2016, including nearly 170 currently registered.
