The Department of Education is to begin consultations with principals and school communities on before and after school care for all public school children in the State.
The consultations are to commence in May with the program to begin in 2021.
From 1 July, parents will also be able to register their interest in a before or after school care service where they might not have one or a full one via Service NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell (pictured) said implementing the election commitment was a major focus for the State Government.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering this important initiative to ensure working families have greater access to more affordable, convenient and flexible child care services,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“No matter where you live or what your circumstances are, parents should have access to quality and affordable out of school hours care for their children,” she said.
Ms Mitchell said consultation on the $120 million program would begin in Term 2.
“We will work closely with our schools, P&Cs, principals and parents – as well as the before and after school care sector – to develop flexible and creative solutions that offer parents support and choice, as well as ensuring schools have the equipment and resourcing they need to deliver these wonderful services,” Ms Mitchell said.
She said schools in metropolitan and major regional centres will be required to open their playgrounds, halls or classrooms for before and after school care and school holiday care from 7am to 6pm.
At smaller or remote schools where an on-site service is not feasible, transport will be offered to get students to and from offsite providers or other schools, Ms Mitchell said.
“We need to use our wonderful school resources better.
“It is not acceptable that there are waiting lists for before and after school care, while our school grounds are under-utilised.”
She said a new specialist team was being created in the Department of Education to coordinate services and manage leases to relieve principals of the burden.
She said the Government would also reduce the cost of before and after school care by up to $225 per child per year, through a capped rental subsidy of up to $15,000 for providers who run services on NSW Government school grounds.
