The NSW State Government is making it easier for parents in the region, who are set to receive cost relief on their preschool fees with savings of up to $4,220 a year thanks to a landmark investment in preschool.
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.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Liberal and National Government are easing the cost-of-living pressure for families in regional NSW and ensuring more children receive high-quality early education.
“Research has shown that preschool is where the building blocks for lifelong success are established. It is vital that we can support families in accessing quality early childhood education,” Ms Cooke said.
“This investment shows that NSW Government is committed to ensuring families across the state have brighter futures and less pressure on wallets.
“This announcement builds on more than 70 costs of living measures already available to people right across the region. People are encouraged to visit service.nsw.gov.au or their local Service NSW Centre for more.”
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 Government has 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.
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, are just some ways in which the NSW Government is 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. https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/early-years-commitment
