Early education for under-12s
UnitingCare helps to bring outback communities closer by providing a wide range of early education support services.
For children under 12, it’s especially important to provide them with the right support, in order to give them the best foundation possible. Our programs and activities are recognised as being highly productive and are designed to respond directly to your needs.
Remote Area Families Service (RAFS)
- Interested in joining a fun and interactive playgroup to assist with your child’s learning and development?
- We offer mobile playgroups and play-based activities on your property or at a central community location.
- Available for children aged 0–12 (with an emphasis on children aged 0–5).
Staying in touch with other children is a wonderful way for your child to learn and develop. Group activities such as playgroups are a great way to get kids interacting, playing and socialising with their peers, and they’re perfect for parents too. Being able to talk to other parents, particularly with children of the same age, you can share your experiences, issues and tips with dealing with your child’s developmental leaps and ages, which makes the parenting journey all that more enjoyable and easier.
We can help you set up a playgroup in your own community — we’ll assist by providing support, ideas and resources
For a full, rich and interactive learning experience, it’s important to have the right resources on hand for children to play with. If you’re setting up your own playgroup, we are able to provide a wide range of items, including:
- Activity and kit boxes
- Arts and crafts
- Information packs
- Toy and parent book resources
RAFS operates from five key bases and services a large number of bordering regions.
For more information contact your local RAFS team.
Charleville – Roma, Dirranbandi, along NSW border, Betoota, Windorah, Tambo, Injune, all areas in between
Phone: 0439 922 815
Email: charleville.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Emerald (based in Mackay) – Charters Towers, Nebo, Taroom, Bymount, Tambo, Alpha, Duaringa, Back to Charters Towers, all areas in between
Phone:0439 932 958
Email: emerald.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Longreach – Charters Towers, Jericho, Tambo, Windorah, Kynuna, Richmond, along the Flinders Highway and all areas in between
Phone: 0439 963 603
Email: longreach.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Mt Isa – Queensland areas of Normanton, Neila, Kynuna, Birdsville, the Northern Territory border, the Gulf of Carpentaria. Northern Territory areas: Camooweal, Three Ways, Elliot, Cape Crawford and all areas in between
Phone: 0439 912 957
Email: mtisa.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
North Queensland (based in Mareeba) – Charters Towers, Maxwelton, Richmond, Normanton, Coen, Laura and all areas in between
Phone: 0447 115 083
Email: nq.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Family Resources
Looking for resources to help support your child’s education and development needs? We can provide tailored information, resources and support to families. Available to parents of children aged 0-12.
Early Childhood is a crucial stage in the learning journey, so it’s important that children and families have the right support. The Remote Area Families Services (RAFS) can provide:
Activity and kit boxes Arts and crafts Information packs Toy and parent book resources RAFS operates from five key bases and services a large number of bordering regions. For more information contact your local RAFS team.
Charleville – Roma, Dirranbandi, along NSW border, Betoota, Windorah, Tambo, Injune, all areas in between
Phone: 0439 922 815
Email: charleville.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Emerald (based in Mackay) – Charters Towers, Nebo, Taroom, Bymount, Tambo, Alpha, Duaringa, Back to Charters Towers, all areas in between
Phone:0439 932 958
Email: emerald.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Longreach – Charters Towers, Jericho, Tambo, Windorah, Kynuna, Richmond, along the Flinders Highway and all areas in between
Phone: 0439 963 603
Email: longreach.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
Mt Isa – Queensland areas of Normanton, Neila, Kynuna, Birdsville, the Northern Territory border, the Gulf of Carpentaria. Northern Territory areas: Camooweal, Three Ways, Elliot, Cape Crawford and all areas in between
Phone: 0439 912 957
Email: mtisa.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
North Queensland (based in Mareeba) – Charters Towers, Maxwelton, Richmond, Normanton, Coen, Laura and all areas in between
Phone: 0447 115 083
Email: nq.rafs@uccommunity.org.au
