Welcome funding in the NSW 2024/25 Budget

Media release   

25 June 2024 

The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) welcomes continued investment in early learning and care provided in the New South Wales 2024/25 Budget.

The New South Wales Budget is focussed on affordability and access to quality early learning and care, and further supporting and upskilling our workforce.

The 2024/25 Gender Equality Budget Statement also acknowledges the vital enabling role early learning and care plays in increasing women’s workforce participation.

ELACCA CEO Elizabeth Death commended Deputy Premier Prue Car on the investment in the sector provided in the 2024-25 Budget: “This builds on significant investment from the New South Wales Government, and provides funding for fee relief and workforce initiatives in early learning and care, at a time when it is most needed”.

“Access to affordable, high-quality early learning and care, delivered by a qualified and valued workforce is the key to providing all children in New South Wales with the best start in life,” Ms Death said.

The Budget recommits to the establishment of 100 new public preschools in New South Wales by 2027, and supports the following initiatives:

  • $430m in preschool fee relief for 2024/25 – including $500 for families with 3-year-olds attending preschool programs in long day care.
  • $17.1m to deliver scholarships and professional learning
  • $10m partnership with TAFE NSW to support early childhood educators and teachers to access professional learning.
  • $20m for the two-year Flexible Initiatives Trial to address barriers to early learning by promoting flexible hours.
  • $60m for new and upgraded preschools at non-government schools.
  • $20m capital grants to increase number of places at community preschools in targeted areas.
  • $5.3m Business Capability Development Program available to small providers to better support their local communities

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the NSW Government and Department of Education to build and uplift our early learning and care workforce, and to improve access to quality learning and care across the state.” Ms Death said.

Ends  

For more information please contact:  

Sally Maddison

Early Learning and Care Council of Australia  

PO Box 348  

Annandale NSW 2038  

Mob: 0499 306 794 

E: [email protected]  

www.elacca.org.au  

About us:  

The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) was established to promote the value of quality early learning and care as an integral part of Australia’s education system. Our 18 CEO members include some of the largest early learning providers in the country, representing both not-for-profit and for-profit services. ELACCA members operate 2,011 long day care services, 370 preschool/kindergarten services and 92 OSHC services, covering every state and territory. They offer one-quarter of all the early learning places in Australia. Together, our members serve 369,776 children and their families, and employ more than 56,000 staff.