The Minns Labor Government is investing $11.7 million in infrastructure grants to create 187 additional quality, affordable early learning places in communities where they are needed most.
The Building Early Learning Places Program supports early learning services to create additional spaces for children aged up to six-years-old in undersupplied communities.
Grants have been awarded to three eligible not-for-profit community preschools and long daycare centres, and three Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation service providers.
All the successful grant recipients have been providing early childhood services for more than 10 years, with the projects including a mix of new builds, renovations, and extensions.
The successful grant applicants include:
- Birrelee Multifunctional Aboriginal Children's Service Aboriginal Corporation - Tamworth
- Intereach Limited - South Albury (new build)
- Ngayaamba Waluura Aboriginal Corporation - Nambucca Heads (new build)
- Peak Hill Preschool Kindergarten Inc - Peak Hill
- Trundle Children's Centre Inc - Trundle (new build)
- Woomera Aboriginal Organisation, Koori Kindermanna Preschool - North Albury
The funding is conditional on services maintaining a National Quality Standard rating of 'meeting expectations' or above.
The Building Early Learning Places Program is part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to ensure all children have access to quality preschool education before they start school, with the funding delivered through the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund.
The program is part of the Minns Government's long-term commitment to support children and young families, including an historic $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools in NSW, the largest investment in public preschools in the state's history.
Earlier this month the Minns Labor Government enacted new laws to restore confidence in the early learning sector and improve child safety.
The changes include services providing more information to parents about an early learning service's compliance history, higher fines for providers who do the wrong thing, and putting the interests of the child above all else.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"High quality early learning is critical for children's development, and these new places will help more children access exactly that.
"The Minns Labor Government, with the leadership of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to delivering quality, affordable early learning in communities where it's needed.
"The Building Early Learning Place program will strengthen local services and support workforce participation for families across NSW."
