Mr Ramsey said he is pleased to see the Remote and Isolated Children’s Exercise (RICE) has received increased funding announced today through the Community Child Care Funding package.
“There was some negativity around ongoing funding for RICE, but as I assured the group there was no question funding would be made available, it was just a question of how,” he said.
“I have taken Education Minister Simon Birmingham to remote schools and the school of the air and he was committed to ensuring funding continued and in fact it has been increased.
“Many families across regional and remote South Australia and Indigenous communities are set for more support to access early childhood education and care as part of sweeping reforms from the Federal Government.
“The CCCF will provide support for 36 childcare facilities across Grey to help break down barriers to early childhood education and care.
“These childcare and early learning services have now been given additional support from the Government for the work they do to break down barriers for children and families.
“The new targeted CCCF is a key part of the Coalition’s early learning and child care overhaul to ensure those services are more affordable and accessible for families who need them most.”
The CCCF will deliver $115 million to more than 700 outside school hours care, centre-based day care and family day care services eligible for the competitive round of funding for the next five years, and $156 million for 151 mainly Budget Based Funded (BBF) child care services and Non-Formula Funded Occasional Care Services as part of the non-competitive round of funding.
Mr Ramsey said the switchover to the Turnbull Government’s new child care and early learning system starts on 2 July 2018, but urged families not to wait to the last minute to take action.
Visit www.education.gov.au/childcare, estimate your new subsidy, and complete the myGov Child Care Subsidy Assessment to start the switchover to the new child care and early learning system,” he said.
Mr Ramsey said more assistance for families accessing childcare will also be available when the new Child Care Subsidy (CCS) system comes into effect from 2 July 2018.
“This will replace the current arrangements and makes it easier for families to access childcare. To help Australian families, the government is injecting another $600 million a year to make childcare more affordable, accessible and flexible.
“Many families will see their out of pocket childcare fees fall between $20 – $30 per week under this new system.”
Media Contact Leonie Lloyd-Smith 8633 1744
May 2 2018
