Charishma Kaliyanda, the Member for Liverpool, says improving access to early childhood education and care in South Western Sydney is vital for young families.
Ms Kaliyanda was commenting on the announcement that 36 early childhood education and care services – including one in her electorate – will receive more than $5.9 million to trial extended hours and create an additional 350 places for children.
Head Start OOSH in Cecil Hills will receive funding for a transition program for kindergarten children and special unit children under six.
“This is fantastic news for the parents and little learners of Cecil Hills,’’ Ms Kaliyanda said.
“This is all a part of the Minns Labor Government’s long-term plan to rebuild education in NSW, ensuring every family gets access to high-quality education from preschool onwards.”
The recipients are part of the second round of the Flexible Initiatives Trial. The first round in April 2024 saw 16 services across the state supported to offer longer hours, weekend operating hours and additional places.
The trial will 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.
The program aims to improve equitable access to affordable quality early childhood education and care services.
