Minister announces extra child care places for Queensland

The Minister for Community Services, Larry Anthony, today announced a further 575 outside school hours care places in Queensland.

Mr Anthony said $36,972, including set-up grants and funds to buy educational resources and play equipment, would be distributed across 23 before and after-school and vacation care services.

“The programs are specifically designed for school-age children and incorporate a range of educational and recreational activities, including sport, craft and music, in a supervised and safe environment,” he said.

“A further $226,355 has been made available as recurrent grants to the services for the remainder of this and the next financial year.

“The Commonwealth Government is committed to providing long-term, sustainable child care programs for parents who are working, studying or looking for work.

“Providing quality care for children before and after school, and during school holidays, gives parents more choice and helps them balance the demands of work and family.

“The Government’s child care program promotes equal access for all families to the child care services that best suits their individual needs.”

Mr Anthony said Childcare Assistance of $402,239 would be available over the next year-and-a-half to eligible families accessing the places.

“Childcare Assistance is a federally funded subsidy paid through Centrelink to assist middle and low-income families offset the cost of formal care,” he said.

“In the last financial year alone, Childcare Assistance of $1.1 billion has been paid to Australians who needed help with the cost of child care.

“More than 20,000 Queensland children aged between five and 12 years are currently enrolled in Commonwealth-funded outside school hours care programs.”

Further information about child care may be obtained by phoning the Commonwealth Government’s Child Care Access Hotline on 1800 670 3052.