Federal funding improves Newtown child care service
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today officially opened the newly renovated SDN Children’s Service in Newtown.
Mr Anthony said that the opening of the improved service demonstrated the Coalition Government’s ongoing commitment to provide quality child care services for Australian families.
“We recognise that families rely on child care services to help them balance the demands of work and family and it is important that these services are given the support they need.
“Funding of $466,000 was granted to renovate and extend the SDN Children’s Service from the Capital Replacement and Upgrade Program (CRUP), under the Assistance to Small Services initiative.
“This initiative enables small services to remain viable by increasing their size to more efficient levels through renovation.
“These funds have helped the service to increase the number of places available for children aged 2 to 5 years and I’m sure families from the area will be delighted with the extension and first rate facilities that are now available.
“Extensions at the SDN Children’s Service include a playroom for 18 children, reception foyer, administration office, storeroom and children’s bathroom with nappy change area. Renovations will upgrade the kitchen, veranda and ramp, and off street parking places to meet licensing regulations and local council requirements,” Mr Anthony said.
The building and playground of SDN Children’s Services Linthorpe Street were the original Newtown Doctor’s residence built around 1880. In 1930 it opened as a long day care centre, operating until 1957, when it became the College Boarding House for students undertaking early childhood teacher training at the Sydney Day Nursery and Nursery Schools Training College. In 1975, it reopened as a child care service for 29 children under two years of age.
Mr Anthony said that renovations to the service are in a style that compliments the existing building given its historical significance.
“The Coalition is committed to supporting children and families through child care. Funding for child care is at record levels – over $8 billion has been allocated for child care over 4 years (2002-03 to 2005-06) and a record 720,000 children are using Commonwealth funded child care,” Mr Anthony said.