Families to benefit from added early learning support

APRIL 30, 2018: Families across the region will benefit from more support to access early childhood education and care, backed by new funding from the Liberal National Government.Nine child care and early learning services in Mackay, one in the Whitsundays, two in Bowen and two in the Burdekin will benefit from vital funding which will deliver added security and support for local families.This will ensure local services are sustainable and deliver for our community, helping to overcome some of the unique challenges that child care services in the city don’t face, such as attracting and retaining qualified staff.Close to $1.4 million will go to child care and early learning services across Dawson through the new Community Child Care Fund (CCCF).Centres to receive funding in Mackay are: After School & Holiday Care Mackay, Emmanuel Outside School Hours Care; Helping Hands Bucasia, MacKillop Outside School Hours Care, PCYC Mackay - Eimeo Road School Age Care, PCYC Mackay - Mackay West School Age Care, St Brendan's Outside School Hour's Care, St Francis Xavier Mackay Outside School Hours Care, St Joseph's Primary School Combined OSHC.Centres to receive funding in Whitsundays & Bowen are: Whitsunday Shire Family Day Care Assoc, PCYC Bowen School Age Care & Bowen Collinsville Family Day CareCentres to receive funding in the Burdekin region are: Burdekin Family Day Care Scheme & Giru Daycare Centre.Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the new targeted CCCF is a key part of the Liberal National Government’s $2.5 billion reforms, which will help ensure child care is more affordable for those families who need it most, while giving vulnerable children a strong start in life.“We want to help these valuable child care and early learning services take advantage of the Liberal National Government’s broader overhaul of the system to help us deliver more support for more families,” Minister Birmingham said.“This is a win for the many hard-working families who live in communities where access to quality, reliable child care is not always guaranteed.”Minister Birmingham said the switchover to the Liberal National Government’s new child care and early learning system starts on 2 July 2018, but urged families not to wait to the last minute to take action.“Visit www.education.gov.au/childcare, estimate your new subsidy, and complete the myGov Child Care Subsidy Assessment to start the switchover to the new child care and early learning system.Details about the Community Child Care Fund are available: https://www.education.gov.au/community-child-care-fund-0