Early learning centre set to trial service expansion

Nurture and Grow Early Learning Centre is one of 16 services across the state in the round 1 pilot of a new program, which aims to support working families.

The $20 million Flexible Initiatives Trial (FIT) aims to address parents' barriers to workforce participation, particularly for women, by supporting early childhood services to adapt their offerings and hours where a community need is identified.

Nurture and Grow Early Learning Centre shares in more than $2.8 million in the first round with other successful applicants.

The grant will be used to extend an upstairs area to create an additional 11 licensed places and enable the introduction of 'sessional' care. The shorter sessions provided by sessional care will increase the availability and flexibility of childcare for families in Sutherland Shire. Sessional care will include offering family's half day care from morning to lunch or lunch to close to better cater to shift workers, and enable families to maximise their subsided care.

"We know that the lack of flexible early childhood education and care is a huge barrier to work and study for local families," Labor spokesperson for Miranda Sarah Kaine said. "The introduction of sessional care is particularly important for our essential healthcare workers at both Sutherland Hospital and Kareena Private Hospital, providing them with the option to choose half day childcare that better suits their shift work."

"Every child in NSW deserves to start school with strong educational foundations, and we know early childhood education is vital in setting young children up for success," Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said.

"This trial is supporting existing services to expand their offerings and respond to the needs of their local communities. This will look different in different areas across the state, with more flexibility and expanded offerings, which is a great outcome for parents and our youngest learners."