More child care places for Qld

Record levels of Government funding has delivered more options and greater flexibility to families when deciding how to balance their work and family commitments Minister for Community Services, Larry Anthony said today.

Mr Anthony today announced more than $360,000 in funding for Outside School Hours Care in Queensland for a further 2,182 places and additional educational resources and play equipment.

“The places are spread across 137 before and after school care programs and vacation care programs.

“This latest funding round has brought Queensland’s total number of child care places for families with children aged 5 to 12 years to 48,393. This is a massive increase of 25,927 places since 1996 when Labor was in Government.

“Outside School Hours Care provides care for children before and after school as well as during school holidays. It includes educational and recreational activities such as sport, craft and music.

“Families using these programs will be eligible for Child Care Benefit (CCB) which, since its introduction on 1 July 2000, has meant families are paying substantially less for child care.

“The Coalition Government has spent record amounts on child care making it more affordable than ever before. We spent more than $4.3 billion over the last four years – 30 per cent more than Labor’s last four years in Government. On top of this we have allocated a further $6 billion for the next four years.

“This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing all Australian families with affordable and flexible child care options to best meet their family’s individual needs,” Mr Anthony said.