COVID-19

90 ECEC operators getting COVID-19 grants in NT

Freya Lucas

Jul 27, 2020

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Nearly 90 early childhood education and care (ECEC) operators took advantage of a one-off $10,000 grant to offset financial issues posed as a result of COVID-19, available to the sector from 11 May to 22 June covering all long day care, family day care and outside school hours care providers.

“Due to the Federal Government’s temporary changes to childcare funding, we heard from some Territory operators they were concerned about the future viability of their services,” the Territory’s Minister for Education Selena Uibo said.

“To support them through this time, we offered one-off assistance grants of up to $10,000, which enabled them to continue operating until the previous funding model was restored earlier this month.”

The NT Early Childhood Education and Care COVID-19 Special Assistance Grant was offered to help with the provision of food and cleaning supplies, as well as to replace essential items that services were unable to replace due to cash-flow issues.

With 149 ECEC services in the Northern Territory, operated by a range of non-government entities, from school councils, to small not-for-profit, community-based organisations, through to large for-profit organisations, nearly 90 services accessing the grant represents a significant portion of the NT ECEC sector.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our early childhood education carers and educators have been the Territory’s unsung heroes,” Ms Uibo said.

“Our ECEC workers underpin the Territory economy. This sector plays a vital role in contributing to strong children, strong families and a strong community,” she added, saying she was “pleased that the Territory Government was able to help nearly 90 operators, who were able to continue opening their doors and their arms to young children throughout a stressful time for many families.”

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