Release date: 10/11/22

One-off grants worth almost $180,000 have been provided to South Australian councils to help establish programs that support children in the first five years of their lives.

The Malinauskas Labor Government recognises the crucial importance of the early years with research showing the first five years of life influence a child’s future educational achievement, wellbeing, and success.

This comes following the appointment of Hon Julia Gillard AC to the role of Royal Commissioner into Early Childhood and Care.

The Royal Commission will focus on how services such as long day care, family day care and early learning centres can support all children to succeed, regardless of their social background.

The grants, administered through the Local Government Association of SA (LGA), saw funding of up to $15,000 for an individual council or $30,000 for a collaboration between councils and a community organisation.

The Minister for Education Training and Skills Blair Boyer visited one of the successful projects today in Mt Barker – a playgroup who use the Duck Flat Community Garden.

The place-based regional community playgroup sought to address developmental vulnerabilities identified in the 2018 AEDC data of children living in isolated and disadvantaged townships.

The playgroup will connect local families, services, and agencies, to understand complexities and strengths within their community.

Other projects that received funding ranged from creating an interactive and child-friendly outdoor space for story time, early learning programs, a series of street events and STEM projects.

The successful applicants for the Local Government Early Childhood Community Innovation grants are:

  • District Council of Robe – Story Corner at the Robe Library
  • City of Burnside – Family Initiative Supporting Children’s Health
  • City of Port Adelaide Enfield – Play Streets – Connecting our Community
  • Campbelltown City Council – Co-designed Children’s Policy and Child Friendly Campbelltown Action Plan
  • Mount Barker District Council – Mount Barker Place-Based Regional Community Playgroup
  • Light Regional Council – It Takes a Village/Community
  • Rural City of Murray Bridge – Paint the Town REaD
  • Kingston District Council – Literacy without Barriers: Building a Community of Readers
  • District Council of Loxton Waikerie – Little Creators STEM Workshop
  • District Council of Karoonda East Murray – Mallee Kids Matter
  • City of Port Adelaide Enfield and City of Onkaparinga – Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander social skills book packs for pre-schoolers
    *Town of Gawler – Activity Garden

Quotes

Attributable to Blair Boyer

This program is an example of how state and local governments can work in partnership for the benefit of South Australian communities and give our youngest South Australians the best start in life.

The money will directly support these local communities to take action toward improving wellbeing, health and learning outcomes for South Australian children.

Around a quarter of children start school developmentally vulnerable and many never catch up.

This is why it is so important that children and families can access the services and supports they need where they need them and why the Malinauskas Labor Government is so committed to focusing on the early years.

Attributable to LGA Chief Executive Officer Clinton Jury

Councils already play a key role in supporting a child’s development in the early years through family and community services, programs at public libraries, playgroups, childcare centres and much more.

Through the grant program, these recipients can support the delivery of local and community-led programs to reduce gaps in development, create innovative early years focused activities and open long-term partnerships with community stakeholders.

It’s a positive step to reduce childhood development gaps which not only supports parents and families, but also has long-term benefits for community wellbeing, health and learning outcomes in council areas.