New services for remote SA Aboriginal community

The remote Aboriginal people of Oak Valley in the Balance Ceduna region, the homeland community for Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara will have access to 16 long day child care places following a partnership between the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments.

Federal Minister for Community Services Larry Anthony and SA Minister for Education, Training and Employment Malcolm Buckby, today announced capital funding of $240,000 that would enable an integrated child care / preschool service to operate in Oak Valley.

“The Federal Government is committed to providing flexible support that enables Aboriginal communities in South Australia to set up child care services that best suit their individual needs,” said Mr Anthony.

“The child care service will work closely with other facilities in the community such as the health clinic, so the community can operate additional early childhood programs from the centre such as parenting and nutrition programs.

“It is essential all children are cared for in an accepting, accessible and flexible environment that best meets their developmental and cultural needs.”

The Commonwealth will provide up to $74,113 in Childcare Assistance per year, and up to $16,157 in Disadvantaged Area Subsidy for a minimum of three years.

Mr Buckby said the Oak Valley child care service would be co-located with the local preschool so a natural progression for children from child care to preschool could be provided in familiar surroundings.

“The State Government will also provide ongoing funding to the service through the Department of Education, training and Employment’s preschool program,” Mr Buckby said.