Vacation care boost for children of frontline workers

Children from vulnerable backgrounds or whose parents work as frontline workers are the focus of a pilot program aimed at providing better access to quality vacation care.
 
More than $840,000 will be used to support vacation care programs at 79 facilities across NSW as part of the pilot program.
 
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said it is important children have access to great vacation care.
 
“Vacation care services play a vital role in meeting the needs of our local communities. Grants of up to $30,000 will assist services to provide engaging opportunities like sports and nutrition programs, excursions, cooking and art workshops,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“This service is crucial for parents and carers who may not be able to get time off work to look after their children during school holidays.
 
“We want children to be excited to walk through the doors of their vacation care and look forward to spending time there.
 
“The funding will support programs, running workshops with local sports stars or writers, and provide enriching opportunities for students in vacation care.”
 
The funding will allow services to provide experiences for students through incursions, as well as upgrades to equipment, resources and transport.
 
The grants will also be used to assist vacation care services to remain available to essential workers and vulnerable children throughout unprecedented COVID-19 events.
 
“This government has continued to support families and workers through the pandemic,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“It is important children of frontline workers enjoy a great vacation care experience while their parents keep the community safe.”