$84m in ECEC funding announced for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly announced $84 million of funding yesterday to support early childhood education and care (ECEC) services operating in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, particularly in regional and rural Australia. 

The funding is being made available through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF), with providers able to apply for grants of up to $400,000 in Sustainability Support, and $300,000 in Capital Support.

The CCCF program supports early childhood education and care services to open, and stay open, in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in regional and rural areas along with First Nations communities.

“We know that children who access quality early learning do better on key measures throughout life – from improved health and education outcomes to going on to higher paying jobs in adulthood,” Dr Aly said. 

“Early learning is a vital contributor to community wellbeing especially in region, rural and remote areas, supporting parents, carers, and families.

The more than $600 million CCCF program supports around 900 services across Australia, with around 60 per cent of funding supporting services in regional and remote communities.

Applications for the grant round are open until 8 March 2024. For more information and to apply please see here.