Member for Tweed Geoff Provest has announced an extension of the COVID-19 relief funding for community and mobile preschools to the end of Term 4.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said during a visit to Tweed that the continued funding recognises the importance of helping families keep children engaged in preschool education.
“Research clearly demonstrates children who attend 600 hours of preschool in the year before they start school have better outcomes throughout their lives,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Extending this relief funding will help families keep their children attending this critical year of early education.
“The last thing we want during this economic crisis is parents sitting around the kitchen table debating whether they can afford to have their children attend preschool,” Mr Provest said.
“COVID-19 has already caused disruption to all of our lives, so it’s more important than ever to ensure families are supported to keep children in quality education and care.”
“This funding will ensure community preschools remain open and will not be forced to close their doors if enrolments fall.
“Eligible services can opt in for the relief funding to allow them to provide fee relief and maintain staffing levels. Services will be contacted directly with information on how to opt in and access payments for Term 4.”
While the NSW Government provides ongoing funding for preschools, this package provides additional funds to cover parent fees and the impact of falling enrolments.