From the start of 2024, the ACT Government will expand the number of sessions available at three of its five Koori Preschools: Ngunnawal Primary School, Narrabundah Early Childhood School, and Richardson Primary School.
Koori Preschool provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 3 to 5 years with a play-based, culturally safe learning program aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework. Each Koori Preschool provides 15 hours of preschool per week. In addition to enrolment in Koori Preschool, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can enrol in their local preschool.
Education minister Yvette Berry said the s expansion was part of the government’s commitment to provide up to an additional 100 places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander three year-olds at Koori Preschools, as stated in Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT.
It also builds on the Koori Pre co-design process, which produced the Koori Pre Cultural Safety Framework and Koori Pre Curriculum, which were launched earlier this year and are being implemented at all Koori Preschools.
“High quality early childhood education sets the foundations for a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development,” Ms Berry said.
“Expanding access to preschool for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families is a high priority for the ACT Government.
“When children participate in quality early learning, they are more likely to make a successful transition to school, stay longer in school, continue to further education, and fully participate in employment and community life as adults.”
The recent 2023-24 ACT Budget invested more than $50 million so three-year-old children can have one free day per week of preschool – which Ms Berry said was the ACT Government’s largest ever investment into the early childhood education sector.
“None of this is possible without the critical work of early childhood educators,” Ms Berry said. “Today is also the start of Early Learning Matters Week, where we thank and support early childhood educators working across the ACT. The ACT Government values the important role of early childhood educators, as professionals and significant influencers on the learning and development of children.”
Parents and carers can enrol Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Koori Preschool at any time between the age of three and five. Any eligible families not yet attending Koori Preschool can call 6207 1106, email EduKooriPre@act.gov.au, or visit the ACT Education Directorate for more information.
