THRIVE BY FIVE WELCOMES QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO UNIVERSAL KINDERGARTEN IN THE UPCOMING STATE BUDGET
22 May 2023 – Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative has today welcomed media reports the Queensland Government will introduce universal kindergarten in the upcoming State Budget.
The introduction of universal kindergarten can provide up to 8,000 more children with access to early learning and welcome relief for household budgets.
Thrive by Five Director Jay Weatherill said: “Universal kindergarten will give Queensland children a better start in life, helps bring cost of living relief for household budgets and provides more options for parents returning to the workforce.
“The first five years of life are when the brain grows to 90 per cent of adult size and is critical for social, mental and physical development.
“We know children who start primary school behind their peers struggle to catch up, so it’s vital we level the playing field with universal kindergarten and address the disadvantage that can otherwise continue all the way through to adult life.”
