Funding for Local Early Childhood Education Services

Aboriginal children and children from low income families across the St George area will have additional support to participate in 600 hours of quality early childhood education in the two years prior to school.

A total of four local organisations have received funding to allow preschool students to further engage and learn in their earliest years. These organisations include:

· Penshurst Long Day Care Centre - $10,000

· Oatley West Early Learning Centre - $10,000

· South Hurstville Kindergarten - $10,000

· Jubilee Community Services - $6,080

Member for Oatley, Mark Coure, said that this funding will provide an important boost to local early childhood services, particularly as we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Grants of up to $10,000 have been approved for these organisations to support participation and a range of activities for our local children,” Mr Coure said.

“Early learning services play a critical role in supporting children and the pandemic has meant that many of these services have been disrupted. It is fantastic to see this funding made available to support children and these services at a time when it is needed most.”

For the first time, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services and Aboriginal Child and Family Centres operating in NSW were included in this program.

Funding may be used for a range of activities that improve participation in early childhood education, including working with local Aboriginal community members to conduct Aboriginal art programs, and providing breakfast programs.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said these grants will enable services in the St George area to provide educational activities that will strengthen the foundations of children's learning in those crucial years before school.

“The NSW Government is committed to increasing educational access to quality early childhood education services, particularly for children from low income families and Aboriginal families,” Minister Mitchell said.

“They will also be able to provide access to specialised staff to deliver targeted support to local children and their families.”

For more information, please visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-earl...