Kindy program to expand throughout southwest

30 extra schools set to benefit from program expansion around the state.

ALL SMILES: More kindy children from the southwest will benefit from the expanding remote kindergarten program.

KINDERGARTEN students will be welcomed at 30 more regional schools over the next two years.

Education Minister Grace Grace announced the remote kindy program would expand, ensuring children from all over the state had equal and greater access to starting their school life.

"The Remote Kindergarten Pilot has been very successful in helping achieve his aim, with 239 children across 38 schools benefiting since it began in 2016," she said.

"We'll now transition from a pilot phase into a full, ongoing program from the start of 2019.

"Expanding into 30 more schools will provide much needed access to kindergarten for more than 100 extra children in remote areas that are located more than 50 kilometres from the nearest service."

Ms Grace said existing teachers would deliver the program, and teacher aides would be employed for 20 extra hours a week.

"This extra teacher aide time also gives an important employment boost in our most remote communities, which are currently experiencing drought," Ms Grace said

She said access to kindergarten was important, as it helps improve young children's literacy and numeracy skills, as well as social competence and school readiness.

"These are all important ingredients in a successful start to education."

Isolated Children's Parents' Association president Tammie Irons welcomed the expansion of the program, and the ongoing certainty it provided to schools already invovled.

"Face to face education is so important for children living in rural and remote parts of Queensland and the expansion of this program will ensure more kids have access to it," Ms Irons said.

Schools set to benefit:

Arcadia Valley State School	Darling Downs South West
Baralaba State School	Central Queensland
Bauhinia State School	Central Queensland
Begonia State School	Darling Downs South West
Bollon State School	Darling Downs South West
Builyan State School	Central Queensland
Carmila State School	Central Queensland
Chillagoe State School	Far North Queensland
Clarke Creek State School	Central Queensland
Coppabella State School	Central Queensland
Duaringa State School	Central Queensland
Dunkeld State School	Darling Downs South West
Gogango State School	Central Queensland
Hebel State School	Darling Downs South West
Isisford State School	Central Queensland
Jericho State School	Central Queensland
Kilcummin State School	Central Queensland
Kindon State School	Darling Downs South West
Lochington State School	Central Queensland
Miriam Vale State School	Central Queensland
Mistake Creek State School	Central Queensland
Monogorilby State School	Darling Downs South West
Morven State School	Darling Downs South West
Nebo State School	Central Queensland
Rolleston State School	Central Queensland
Rosedale State School	North Coast
St Lawrence State School	Central Queensland
Teelba State School	Darling Downs South West
Ubobo State School	Central Queensland
Yuleba State School	Darling Downs South West

Originally published as Kindy program to expand throughout southwest