Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch today welcomed the allocation of an additional $1.1 million to support vital child care services in the region and help meet the needs of local families.
Four services will receive funding under the Morrison Government’s Community Child Care Fund which helps improve access to childcare and increase workforce participation in remote, regional and disadvantaged communities.
The services include Marlin Coast Family Day Care Association, NQ Family Day Care, Dreamtimes Childcare and Barrier Reef Child Care Centre in Cooktown.
Mr Entsch said the additional funding will help local child care services improve access to quality care.
“It will be good for our local kids, good for our hard-working families and ultimately for our community,” Mr Entsch said.
“It will also have a positive economic benefit by allowing more local parents to get back into work or to take on additional hours if they chose.
“The funds will support services in areas such as Cairns and Cooktown that may need support to keep operating, or to fund capital projects to improve services and increase the number of places available.”
Federal Education and Youth Minister Alan Tudge said more than 640 childcare services around Australia would share in more than $100 million through the program.
“We are committed to giving every Australian family access to quality childcare, regardless of where they live or their circumstances,” Mr Tudge said.
“In some remote areas, there may only be one or two childcare services operating and it is critical we keep these open and help improve and expand facilities so more kids can attend.
“This program also helps services to run initiatives that reduce barriers which may otherwise prevent local kids from accessing care.
Federal Regional Education Minister Bridget McKenzie said the CCCF would help ensure childcare continued to be available for many families in Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“These grants will have tangible benefits for childcare providers that will flow to local children and their families,” Minister McKenzie said.
“It means more families in Cairns and Far North Queensland can take advantage of our Child Care Subsidy if they choose to work, learn or volunteer.”
The Morrison Government to date has allocated more than $220 million to more than 1000 child care services through the Community Child Care Fund since 2018.
The Morrison Government is investing around $10 billion in child care this year to support around 1 million families.
Our Budget delivered further support to reduce the out of pocket costs for parents with multiple children aged under six in care and a commitment to a $2 billion preschool funding agreement for access to early learning for all children in the year before school.
