More support for out of school hours care
Not-for-profit providers of out of school hours care can now receive up to $30,000 to expand or establish new services for busy NSW families, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said today.
Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith joined Ms Berejiklian and Mrs Mitchell at Randwick Public School today to announce the NSW Government’s $20 million Before and After School Care Fund would be expanded to include not-for-profit providers.
“We know many families rely on before and after school care to juggle busy work schedules and other commitments,” said Ms Berejiklian.
“Expanding the fund means extra support to encourage community organisations to offer out of school hours services and ease the burden in areas of high demand.”
Mrs Mitchell said the Before and After School Care Fund was helping to give parents choices on childcare.
“More than 160 schools and five local councils have taken advantage of the fund to date,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We know families need flexibility, so we’re providing a flexible approach that supports not-for-profits, local councils and schools to provide more care options.”
Mr Notley-Smith said Randwick Public School used their $30,000 grant to fund renovations that created 40 extra places.
“I know how valued this service is in a school of 927 students, where many children have two working parents,” Mr Notley-Smith said.
As part of these changes it is now possible for community organisations to pool their resources and prepare a joint proposal. Since 2011 the NSW Liberal and National Government has spent more than $1.6 billion in Early Childhood Education - $382 million this financial year alone.