Local member welcomes Flexible Initiatives Trial funding for her electorate

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda has welcomed Flexible Initiatives Trial (FIT) funding for her electorate, saying that providing improved access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) in South Western Sydney is vital for young families.

FIT aims to support services to test new and expanded operating models to better cater for local families’ needs, increase availability of places where and when they are needed most, and reduce barriers to workforce participation.

The grants will also help services create up to 350 additional places in long day care services and community preschools, extend hours to include before and after school and on weekends, fund new educator and teacher positions, open new rooms, expand programs and establish five new family day care services.

Across New South Wales 36 ECEC services – including one in Ms Kaliyanda’s electorate – will receive more than $5.9 million to trial extended hours and create an additional 350 places for children.

In South Western Sydney Head Start OOSH in Cecil Hills is the beneficiary, and will use the funding to support a transition program for kindergarten children and special unit children under six years of age. 

“This is fantastic news for the parents and little learners of Cecil Hills,’’ Ms Kaliyanda shared with local publication South West Voice.

The first FIT funding round, in April 2024, saw 16 services across the state supported to offer longer hours, weekend operating hours and additional places.

Access the South West Voice coverage of this story here.