The Cook Labor Government and the Minderoo Foundation have jointly committed $10.45 million to expand the Early Years Partnership (EYP), a long-term initiative aimed at improving child wellbeing and school readiness across selected communities in Western Australia.
The investment will support 14 new community-led projects across four partner regions: Armadale West, Central Great Southern, Derby, and Bidyadanga. It forms part of a broader 10-year collaboration between the state government, Minderoo Foundation, and participating communities focused on strengthening early childhood development outcomes.
Funding for the latest phase includes $5 million from the 2026–27 State Budget and $5.45 million from the Minderoo Foundation. These resources will be used to improve access to early learning services, enhance health outcomes, and strengthen community infrastructure supporting families and young children.
Key initiatives under the program include improved transport solutions to help families access early learning and child health services, upgrades to early years infrastructure in regional communities such as Mowanjum and Pandanus Park in Derby, and expanded accommodation for visiting service providers in Bidyadanga. Additional funding will also support dental and ear health programs in remote areas and coordination efforts for early childhood hubs.
The program builds on earlier investments that include a $20.2 million Early Learning and Family Centre in Derby, upgrades to early childhood facilities in Bidyadanga, culturally focused community programs, and improved shared community spaces in Mowanjum. With this latest funding, total investment across the Early Years Partnership has now exceeded $45 million, supporting 38 projects across participating communities.
Officials described the initiative as a community-led approach designed to tailor early childhood services to local needs while addressing barriers such as transport access, service availability, and infrastructure gaps. The program emphasizes collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and philanthropic partners to improve long-term educational and developmental outcomes.
The investment reflects a broader policy focus in Western Australia on strengthening early childhood development through place-based partnerships that combine public funding with philanthropic support to deliver targeted, community-specific solutions.
