A life-changing package for children and families in the Cootamundra electorate has been announced by the NSW Government with a $376.5 million investment over four years for child development and family support.
The 2022-23 NSW Budget is investing in an evidence-based, multi-agency initiative called Brighter Beginnings, a partnership that will give every NSW child the best start in life.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Government’s Brighter Beginnings initiative will make those first 2,000 days easier for parents by providing wrap-around supports throughout pregnancy and after birth, and by incorporating an expanded suite of evidence based development checks into early childhood learning
“This Brighter Beginnings initiative will allow families in the Cootamundra electorate to have the best possible early years support for themselves and their children, giving them the best start to life,” Ms Cooke said.
“This is a long-term investment which will reap benefits for children, families and the economy both today, and for generations to come.
“It will also make a huge different to outcomes at school, from behaviour to academic results.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said it’s clear that getting it right early in a child’s life has lifelong benefits for their future.
“Almost half of all 4-year-old children do not get their recommended health and development checks, so making these available in every NSW early childhood service will open the door to brighter futures for thousands of children,” Ms Mitchell said.
Alongside the NSW Government’s Affordable Preschool Program, the Brighter Beginnings package includes:
- $111.2 million to bring health and development checks to all children in NSW preschool settings in partnership with health professionals;
- $98.7 million to continue and expand the number of Aboriginal Child and Family Centres across the state;
- $70.9 million to expand the transformational Sustaining NSW Families clinical nurse home visiting program;
- $57.2 million to develop the clinical interface of the Digital Baby Book; and
- $38.6 million to make Pregnancy Family Conferencing available to more parents across NSW.
