Indigenous kids given kickstart | Gympie News | Local News in Gympie

Codey Warhurst

TEN new childcare centres to be created in Queensland will give indigenous children a “flying start” to their education, Premier Anna Bligh says. The federal government is investing $75 million in the centres, to be built by mid-2012 and located near other government services assisting families.

The Queensland government will contribute land where possible and consult communities about the locations and their needs.

Ms Bligh said the centres would cater to indigenous families, but places would be available to all children in the communities.

“All of the research tells us that children who are exposed to good early childhood development programs before they get to school have a much better chance of a good educational outcome, regardless of their family background or circumstances,” she said.