The NSW Government has committed $5.9 million to expand flexible early childhood education and care.

Thirty-six services will receive funding under the second round of the Flexible Initiatives Trial (FIT), supporting extended operating hours and the creation of 350 additional childcare places. 

The first round, launched in April 2024, funded 16 services to trial longer hours, weekend operations, and additional places.  

This year’s recipients include six services in metropolitan Sydney, nine in Western Sydney, and 21 in regional NSW. 

The funding will allow services to extend hours before and after school, open on weekends, create new educator positions, expand facilities, and introduce family day care options.  

The initiative is part of a broader NSW Government investment in early childhood education, which includes $769 million to build 100 new public preschools - the largest such investment in the state’s history. 

Additional funding includes $60 million to upgrade preschools in non-government schools and $17 million for early childhood service infrastructure.  

“Not only does this program increase access for children in our state to early quality education and care, it also removes a barrier facing parents who wish to re-enter the workforce or enter it for the first time,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car.

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