Penrith kids to benefit from improved early childhood services
Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith today visited Tandara Children’s Centre to announce they will join 9 other local childcare services to receive funding through the NSW Government’s Quality and Participation Grants Program.
Stuart Ayres said this means our littlest learners are set to benefit from new and improved facilities and support programs at early childhood education and care services.
Stuart Ayres confirmed 10 services across Penrith have been successful in securing grants of $17,500 each to improve facilities, and access for children from low-income families, Aboriginal children and culturally and linguistically diverse children.
“It’s fantastic that, thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals, these vital early childhood services in Penrith have benefitted from government funding. I know all too well how important these services are to our community and so the funding will make a positive difference for our young learners.” Stuart Ayres said.
Local children’s centres include: Tandara, Grays Lane, Blue Emu, Carita Children’s, The Emu Plains Kids Place, Jamisontown, Platypus Playground, Rainbow Cottage, Tamara and Wattle Glenn.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said services in Penrith were amongst the nearly 300 services to benefit from the first round of the $21 million Quality and Participation Grants Program.
“These grants had an overwhelming response from the sector, which is fantastic because it means more children, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, will benefit,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is investing in our littlest learners, because we know the early years are incredibly important. These grants will help our amazing early childhood educators provide high-quality learning environments for children across the state.”
The funding can be used by services for a range of activities such as providing transport services to improve access, bringing in specialised staff for Aboriginal children and children from low-income families and minor capital works, such as renovations and new play areas.
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.
Through 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, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.
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