Local kids to benefit from Labor’s kindy election pledge

Labor has committed to creating 10 new kindys at Darling Downs state schools.

Ten schools in the Darling Downs will play host to a remote kindergarten if the Labor Government is re-elected on Saturday.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the successful remote kindergarten in schools program would be expanded to an extra 20 state schools across Queensland.

In the south west Darling Downs region these schools include Karara State School, Lundavra State School, Mungallala State School, Dulacca State School, Talwood State School, Kogan State School, Yelarbon State School, Thallon State School, Wallumbilla State School and Proston State School.

“Our remote kindy program is currently offered in 100 locations across Queensland and I’m really thrilled we are going to expand it further,” Mr Grace said.

“This is a wonderful announcement for our rural and remote families who currently don’t have a kindy service close to where they live.

“We’ll invest a further $12 million over four years to expand our program to ensure that more kids can access quality kindy, no matter where they live in Queensland.

“We know the benefits that flow from kindergarten in giving our kids a great start and that’s exactly why we’re making these critical investments in our future.”

Ms Grace said the current program is delivered in schools where there is no other kindy service within a 50km radius, like in the south west region of the Darling Downs.

“Under our expansion program, remote kindies would be extended to school locations where there is no kindy within 40km,” she said.

“This will make a big difference to many rural and remote families.”

Southern Downs Labor candidate Joel Richters said the expansion of the program reinforced the Labor Government’s commitment to giving all children a great start.

“Our Remote Kindy program kicked off in 2016 at 38 schools and it’s gone from strength to strength since then,” Mr Richters said.

“In 2018 we expanded the program and today there are now 69 state schools eligible to deliver kindy on site. This is on top of the state delivered kindergartens in 31 discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

Labor Candidate for Warrego Mark O’Brien said over the last four years, the initiative had enabled over 640 children access to face-to-face kindy.

“We want to reach even more children which is why we’re committing to expanding this important program,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Investing in kindy services is crucial to the Warrego region.”