The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW welcomes the extension of preschool funding of $428m announced by Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham in his National Press Club address yesterday, 4 May 2017. ACA NSW is delighted that the Minister recognises the importance of access to early childhood education for all Australian children.

Even though ACA NSW acknowledges that NSW families can have certainty of preschool subsidy for 2018, further clarification regarding how Universal Access funding will be applied in NSW for children at long daycare centres from 1 July 2017 is required.

Back in September 2016, the NSW Government announced a $115m funding boost that will enable more children to participate in 600 hours – or about 15 hours per week – of early childhood education in community preschools and long daycare centres.

While $85m had been allocated to community-based preschools, $30m has been allocated to private and not-for-profit long daycare centres. Moreover, there was also an additional $20m capital works fund available. All such funds were to be available to childcare service providers beginning 1 January 2017 and 1 July 2017.

With 8 weeks to 1 July 2017, ACA NSW members encourages the NSW Government to inform the funding distribution arrangements as early as possible.

The Australian Childcare Alliance NSW would like to see in future both Federal and NSW Governments adopt a longer-term approach to funding and distribution arrangements whereby early childhood education is affordable and fair for all families in NSW and their children regardless of where they receive their preschool education.