Funding available for ECEC services impacted by extreme weather events

Early childhood education and care services whose financial viability may have been impacted by recent extreme weather events, particularly in Queensland and Tasmania, are being encouraged to apply for up to $10,000 government grant to help with community recovery.

Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan has urged all childcare providers who may have been affected by the recent weather events  to apply for the funding.

“Childcare providers are…having a hard time, attendance may be intermittent or their operations may have been directly impacted by the floods or fires. These one-off grants of up to $10,000 can be used to help services remain viable, such as temporarily meeting standard operating costs or covering other reasonable expenses to ensure the continuity of childcare,” Mr Tehan said.

Mr Tehan said the application process for special circumstances grants through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) had been streamlined for eligible providers in disaster struck areas.

“The CCCF includes up to $4 million in 2018-19 to support services in disadvantaged communities at risk of closure due to issues caused by unforeseen events, such as bushfires and floods.

“All childcare provider types can apply for CCCF special circumstances grants. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis including the degree to which the service has been impacted by the natural disasters.”

Further information, including eligibility details and the new streamlined application form, can be found online at https://www.education.gov.au/cccfspecialcircs or by emailing [email protected]