More child care places for New South Wales families

The Minister for Community Services, Larry Anthony, today announced funding of more than $820,000 to provide an extra 3,180 child care places for school-age children in New South Wales.

“This funding, through the Federal Government’s National Growth Strategy for children aged five to 12 years, will be shared between 91 child care services across the state,” Mr Anthony said.

“I am pleased to say that 42 per cent of this funding will go to rural and regional services for school aged children.

“More than $550,000 in Childcare Assistance will also be paid to eligible families using these new places and the Childcare Rebate will further help in meeting the costs of formal care.

“Improving access to high quality child care is a priority for the Government and now many parents will receive Childcare Assistance for the first time using these services.”

More than 59,000 NSW children aged five to 12 years are currently enrolled in Commonwealth-funded vacation care, and before and after-school care programs.

These programs are specifically designed for school-age children and include a range of educational and recreational activities including sport, craft and music, in a supervised and safe environment.

Mr Anthony said it was essential that working families were able to access subsidised child care when schools were not operating so parents had more choice in balancing the demands of work and family.

“The Government’s child care program promotes equal access for all families to the child care service which best suits their individual needs,” he said.

“There is a high demand for school-age care in both metropolitan and rural areas. Thirty-seven rural and regional services have been funded as part of this Government’s priority to increase and improve access to high quality care for rural families.”

“This funding demonstrates the Federal Government’s on-going commitment to providing affordable, quality and accessible child care services to families in NSW.”

Families who need information about child care should call the Commonwealth Government’s national Child Care Hotline on 1800 670 305.