Access to high-quality, early childhood education and care (ECEC) for working families will be boosted across the State under a re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Liberals are getting on with the job of supporting working women and families, while giving children the best possible start in life and learning.
"We understand the importance of access to quality childcare, and our plan backs Tasmanian families regardless of where they live or their family circumstances," the Premier said.
"We're getting on with the job of delivering more ECEC throughout Tasmania, while Labor is busy copying our homework on programs that already exist.
"Planning for our three supersized Child and Family Learning Centres (CFLC) is well underway, with construction expected to begin at the Scottsdale CFLC next year, while community consultation is expected to begin for the Smithton and Longford CFLCs later this year.
"In the Huon Valley, we've listened to the community about their need for more childcare in the region, and we'll provide the Council with $5 million towards its new 200-place childcare centre.
"In recognising the valuable range of services and supports that CFLCs offer for families and children from 0 to 5 years old, we have also committed up to $3 million to upgrade facilities to support to delivery CFLC outreach services across the Huon Valley, ensuring services are able to reach the children and families who need them most.
"We're delivering 220 free early learning places each year for vulnerable families under our Working Together initiative, with more than 900 children and families around Tasmania already supported through this program.
"Our free Early Learning for Three Year Olds program is currently being offered at three unique trial sites around Tasmania, including Bruny Island, East Devonport and Fingal, with plans to expand further, including to the West Coast and Flinders and Cape Barren Islands."
As part of our $10 million commitment to Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), we will increase capacity at Howrah Primary School, which will be the first of many existing OSHC services to expand through this funding.
East Devonport and Zeehan Primary Schools will also receive building upgrades to support the delivery of early years services, with works to commence this year.
"Our Government is assessing an additional ten school sites identified last year, and if suitable, they will be offered to OSHC service providers through an expression of interest (EOI) process," the Premier said.
"We have already undertaken an audit to identify government land that could be used for the expansion of ECEC services, and an initial EOI process has recently closed."
We are actively working to address workforce shortages in the early years sector through our Early Years Workforce Development Fund. This fund includes $4.5 million to deliver scholarships to grow the workforce along with relocation and retention incentives for workers in hard-to-staff locations.
To date, 10 scholarships have already been delivered, and a further 10 scholarships will be awarded by the end of 2025.
"We are getting on with the job of delivering more early childhood and care services throughout Tasmania," the Premier said.
"Tasmanians are sick of the politics. They want action. They want stability. And they want it now.
"This election comes down to one choice: a strong Liberal team with a real plan or another merry-go-round of chaos.
"So, let's get on with it.
"Let's finish the job for Tasmania."
