The physical, mental, emotional and social nurturing, support and opportunities children receive in early childhood years is crucial to their development and life-long health, education, economic and social prospects.
The Queensland Government's priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are to:
- improve child and maternal health care
- support good parenting
- strengthen early childhood education and care
Targets and progress measures
The Council of Australian Governments and the Queensland Government have set 2 targets under the National Indigenous Reform Agreement to improve the early childhood development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
1. Halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under 5 years old within a decade.
NIRA progress measures
- child under 5 mortality rates:
- perinatal mortality rates
- infant mortality rates
- childhood mortality (0-4 years and 1-4 years) rates
- childhood mortality by leading cause of death
- child hospitalisation rates by principal diagnosis
- low birthweight
- tobacco smoking during pregnancy
- antenatal care:
- women attending five or more antenatal visits
2. Ensure all Indigenous 4-year-olds in remote communities have access to quality early childhood education within 5 years.
NIRA progress measures
- participation in early childhood education
More information
Download details about the Queensland Government's actions to improve the early childhood development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children:
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