Purpose
To support improved early childhood education outcomes across the state to ensure that all Queensland children are getting a great start in life.
This funding may support activities to maximise continuity and alignment of initiatives across
Kindergarten to Prep. Funds provided to selected schools may be used to employ a range of staff who will undertake activities and strategies as identified by each region as part of their Giving Every Child a Great Start regional strategy.
Funding until June 2023 could be directed to clusters of schools with funding being held by a particular school where program staff members are located.
Funding until June 2023 is provided directly to each region to manage and ensure the program outcomes are achieved.
Duration of program
June 2023
Eligibility
State schools that are hosting program staff or running other early childhood initiatives.
Allocation of funds
The program budget until 30 June 2023 is $3.3 million.
Each region will be allocated a maximum of $500,000 until the end of the 2023 financial year. Regions will provide funding to schools who host key program staff or implement early childhood program initiatives to service the region. Host schools could be identified based on location, capacity to implement program initiatives or ability to service the region. Length of recruitment for positions will be determined by the region based on ability to meet program outcomes.
Regions may also keep some funding to manage the budget or employ staff to oversee the progress of the program.
Payment details
Payments made to the identified host schools are subject to recruitment of positions or renegotiation of contracts (the timing for which will be negotiated with regions). The Principal of the host school will be informed of the arrangements by the Early Childhood Education and Care Director in the relevant region once funding decisions (including about timing) are made.
Data requirements
| Regional information | Data dashboard | Quarterly |
How to apply
Schools do not need to apply for this funding. Entitlements will be automatically calculated and paid.
Further information
The Early Childhood and Education Improvement Division and the State Schools Division recognises the opportunity to deliver key strategic messages for the full range of leaders about the importance of prioritising early childhood education, establishing clear expectations while recognising the need for scope for localised neighbourhood, cluster and individual school implementation. The divisions are focused on building multi-levelled leadership to create and sustain change in practice in the early years as a department priority.
This focus on the alignment of K–P priorities within the department brings greater cohesion across the early years leading to enhanced continuity of learning and development for young learners, stronger partnerships between divisions, portfolios, sectors and systems and a shared vision for quality teaching and learning outcomes for all Queensland children.
Contact
Office of the Deputy Director-General
Early Childhood
Telephone: (07) 3034 4890