“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Minister for Education and Early Childhood providers to deliver regular and reliable appropriate Early Childhood programs for highly vulnerable and remote locations.”
At present,
RAFS (Remote Area Families Service) has visited the area in late 2024, hosting 2-3 property-based playgroups. However, this has not continued. Cunnamulla ICPA has reached our multiple times to RAFS and have had no response.
The KEYS (Keeping Early Years in the spotlight) playgroup is operating once a week for families; however, there is significant uncertainty as to what happens when the pool of funding for this group is complete. Estimated to be some time in Term 3 2025.
The First 5 Forever program that was run at the Cunnamulla Library for families is no longer running and has been missed by many town and remote families.
The Gidgee Kids Daycare centre in Cunnamulla has noted some improvements in staffing and the organisation of children’s rooms; however, ongoing support is needed to support this service to offer high quality educational interactions to all families seeking this service.
Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health has provided services to families attending a local playgroup and free-swimming lessons. This service has been well supported and focused primarily on providing health services through these sessions.
Conversations around Kath Dickson Toy Library have begun but Cunnamulla ICPA local members and other key community stakeholders have not been included in these conversations and are unsure what this means for Cunnamulla and surrounding families.
The impact of the lack of services/ irregular services is being felt by town and rural families. The 2024 AEDC data is still waiting to be shared providing crucial data for strategic planning.
