Families across the State are to have improved access to childcare and reduced preschool costs following the allocation of funding in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
Announced by Premier Dominic Perrottet, families with children aged three to five years old are to be eligible for up to $4,000 in preschool fee relief.
“The program will ease cost of living pressures for families and ensure more children receive high quality early education, which is critical for a smooth transition to school and better educational outcomes for their future,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Preschool is where the building blocks for lifelong success are established so it is vital that quality early childhood education is more accessible for families in NSW, no matter what their circumstances or where they live.”
He said NSW families would be eligible for up to $4,000 per year in fee relief for three, four, and five-year-olds attending a community or mobile preschool, up to $2,000 per year for four and five-year-olds attending preschool in a long day care setting, and the equivalent of five days a fortnight of fee relief for all children in Department of Education preschools.
Mr Perrottet said access to childcare would also be expanded with funding allocated to help early childhood education and care providers deliver more accessible and affordable care.
Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said Government would work with the sector on a detailed design of the fund to ensure it delivered the best outcomes for children, families and providers.
Ms Mitchell said the fund would provide grants to childcare providers to expand infrastructure and establish new centres, target areas with limited access to childcare centres or a shortage of places, and trial new services models to meet the needs of modern families.
