Securing before and after school care

Sunday, 19 June 2022

Balancing work and life for families will become easier thanks to a $37.9 million investment in before and after school care services announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

The NSW Government is investing $16.2 million in transport grants to connect students to a service if one is not available nearby. The government will also ensure there are viable before and after school care options for families in areas with no current services through a $20.2 million package.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said accessing before and after school care services in regional NSW was crucial for parents juggling work and family commitments.

“Gone are the days of the 9 to 5, so this funding will be crucial to ensure parents in regional communities have access to more flexible childcare services,” Mr Toole said.

Treasurer Matt Kean said this funding will support both parents balance work and family.

“We know that working families are impacted by a lack of before and after school care services, and that this often has a flow-on impact to parents participating in the workplace,” Mr Kean said.

“That’s why investments like these are so important to give parents more flexibility in their day.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this investment will support the NSW Government’s commitment to ensure that all parents with public primary school students have access to before and after school care if they need it.

“Great before and after school care services deliver an essential service to communities and young children, providing a safe place to play and socialize,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This funding is in addition to the existing $235 million commitment to help support and grow the before and after school care sector to improve access and affordability for NSW families.”

The BASC package includes:

More than $20 million to expand BASC provision in regional schools
More than $16 million for grants to improve transport services to BASC services