ECEC to play core role in newly announced South West Sydney Revitalisation Package

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) will play an important role in the recently announced South West Sydney Revitalisation Package which represents more than $100 million of targeted programs to support student learning and wellbeing needs in the region.

• Cumberland
• Blacktown
• Fairfield
• Canterbury-Bankstown
• Liverpool
• Georges River
• Parramatta
• Campbelltown
• Penrith
• Bayside
• Strathfield
• Burwood.

• The average Family Occupation and Education Index (FOEI) for these schools is 106, compared to a metro average of 86
• 264 in-scope schools have a FOEI greater than 100
• 103 in-scope schools have a FOEI greater than 150.

• Student voice
• Consultations with over 220 principals
• Parent sentiment data
• Extensive engagement across the department, and ongoing cross-agency engagement.

• Reduced engagement at school
• Loss of community connections
• Trauma of COVID experience
• Learning loss
• Loss of transitions
• Difficulty spending funds on learning and wellbeing initiatives in 2021
• Loss of attendance.

• Transition to School Support Program

• Funding to support partnerships between schools, early childhood education and care services, families, and community and health organisations to build connections for local students transitioning to school.

• ECE Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Strategy

• Establishing a CALD Early Childhood Education Advisory Group to identify solutions to the lower participation rate of CALD students in preschool and early learning in South West Sydney. The Advisory Group will be asked to co-design with the Department and community a CALD Children’s ECE Strategy.

• Department of Communities and Justice Partnership to deliver the Supporting Families into ECE Project

• A partnership between the Department of Education, Department of Communities and Justice and non-government organisations to work with families in accessing and attending early learning.