Parents across NSW are set to save up to $4,220 a year on their preschool fees, thanks to a landmark investment by the NSW Nationals in the state government.
For the first time, parents whose children attend preschool programs at Long Day Care settings will enjoy subsidised fees, following the introduction of the new $1.3 billion Start Strong Affordable Preschool Program.
Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said families can now save up to $4,220 per year depending on where their child attends preschool.
"The NSW Nationals in the state government have been providing significant fee relief for families attending community and mobile preschools for the last two years, and from this year fee relief will be available for more families than ever before," Ms Mitchell said.
"This government is investing in the futures of our children at a level never seen before and in a way that also helps parents with the household budget."
From this month, all NSW families will be eligible for:
- up to $4,220 per year in fee relief for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds attending a community or mobile preschool,
- up to $2,110 per year in fee relief for 4 and 5-year-olds attending preschool in a long day care setting on top of their Child Care Subsidy payment, and
- the equivalent of 5 days a fortnight of affordable preschool fee relief for all children in Department of Education preschools.
To access the Start Strong 2023 preschool fee relief, parents are encouraged to speak to their service today. Families enrolled in a community preschool or long day care service must complete a declaration form and nominate one service from which they would like to receive the fee relief.
The NSW Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood commitments announced as part of the 2022-23 budget to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.
Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief, the NSW Nationals in the state government are ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.
You can find out more about the Early Years Commitment on the Department of Education website.
