Affordability & Accessibility
COVID-19
Policy
NSW Government confirms free preschool until the end of Term 4
Freya Lucas
Aug 20, 2020
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The New South Wales Government confirmed earlier this week that COVID-19 relief funding for community and mobile preschools would be extended until the end of Term Four.
“Research clearly demonstrates children who attend 600 hours of preschool in the year before they start school have better outcomes throughout their lives,” Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said, outlining the importance of continued funding. “Extending this relief funding will help families keep their children attending this critical year of early education,” she added, saying that 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.”Her position was supported by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet who said the NSW Government “is committed to ensuring children have access to vital early education, particularly in the year before school.” “We know these are testing times and that’s why we continue to offer this vital support to ease cost-of-living pressures and ensure children right across the State have access to the education they need and deserve,” he added.
Eligible services can opt in for the relief funding to allow them to provide fee relief and maintain staffing levels, and services will be contacted directly with information on how to opt in and access payments for Term Four. “This funding will ensure community preschools remain open and will not be forced to close their doors if enrolments fall,” Mr Perrottet said. Further information will be made available on the Department of Education website in coming days.
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