Consultation for the future of Start Strong & Preschool Funding

ACA NSW members would be pleased with the clarifications from the NSW Department of Education about the existing and future Start Strong and Preschool funding in July 2022 and beginning January 2023 to 2026.

The NSW Department of Education is currently in the process of consulting early childhood education and care services about the upcoming funding distributions. Invitations to services were distributed via its Sector Update on 19 July 2022. That said, ACA NSW is concerned that the consultation may not be as comprehensive as we would prefer.

ACA NSW Executive Committee appreciates the consultation that it will have with the NSW Department of Education on 29 August 2022. And on behalf of ACA NSW members, we have listed the following for discussion:

1. Preschool Reform Funding to be received in early 2023 per various eligible children
   1. What is the eligibility criteria for all children and how will they be determined for each service prior to disbursements
   2. Clarification of the exact amounts to be received in early 2023 per various eligible children
   3. What the funds can and cannot be used for
   4. How will the funds be reconciled/acquitted with the NSW Department of Education
   5. What preschool-related and other records will be asked to be recorded and what mechanisms will be used to communicate all records to the NSW Department of Education
   6. When will the audit process begin
   7. What are the differences in implementation for children in long daycare services vs community/mobile preschools
   8. Given that NSW follows Regulation 272, how will this funding assist with the increased costs relative to other Australian states, and how will this funding assist in producing superior outcomes for and from children given the higher number of degree-qualified early childhood teachers
2. Affordable Preschools for Families funding to be received in early 2023 per various eligible children
   1. How is this fund to be used to increase affordability for parents, especially how it interacts with the Commonwealth’s Child Care Subsidies
   2. What is the eligibility criteria for all children and how will they be determined for each service prior to disbursements
   3. Clarification of the exact amounts to be received in early 2023 per various eligible children
   4. What the funds can and cannot be used for
   5. How will the funds be reconciled/acquitted with the NSW Department of Education
   6. What preschool-related and other records will be asked to be recorded and what mechanisms will be used to communicate all records to the NSW Department of Education
   7. What are the differences in implementation for children in long daycare services vs community/mobile preschools

ACA NSW will provide an update to members as soon as further information and clarification are received.

In the meantime, should members require any further information/clarification, please contact the ACA NSW team via 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 23 AUGUST 2022