More support for child care services in Bundaberg

Thursday, 8 August 2019

Improving access to child care services in the Bundaberg region will be made easier thanks to a $65,226 funding boost.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced that Lead Childcare Bundaberg were a successful applicant through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF).

“This funding will help our local centres to cover their day-to-day costs, offer transport assistance to isolated families and create additional places, ensuring families in Bundaberg could access child care services,” Mr Pitt said.

“This investment will help our providers overcome some of the unique challenges child care services in the city don’t face, such as attracting and retaining qualified staff. It means more hard-working families in Hinkler can take advantage of our Government’s Child Care Subsidy to work, learn or volunteer.

“The CCCF is part of our Government’s Child Care Safety Net, which aims to give the most vulnerable children a strong start, while supporting parents into work,” Mr Pitt said.

Lead Childcare Bundaberg will receive $65,226 to work with other organisations and families to identify and address barriers to child care participation.

Lead Childcare Bundaberg centre manager Kieran Molkentin said the centre was excited and privileged to have been recently announced as a successful recipient of a Community Child Care Fund Grant.

“We will be purchasing a new 10 seater bus to assist in transporting children to and from their homes to the service, allowing all children and families in Bundaberg an access to high quality care and early education,” Ms Molkentin said.

“This vehicle will also allow us to take our children on regular visits into the community, extending their knowledge and learning with connections in Aged Care Homes and Council facilities such as the Public Library, Art Gallery, Recycling Centres and Nature Reserves.

“LEAD Childcare Bundaberg is looking forward to building deeper connections with local schools to facilitate small group transition visits for our Kindergarten children. In partnership with our sister service LEAD Childcare Bargara, we are excited to release our Beach Kindy program.

“The acquisition of the second bus further allows our organisation to support more school age children by extending our Before and After School Care service to include a wider range of local primary schools,” she said.

The Coalition Government has provided more than $120 million to 800 providers over five years to support more families to access child care through the CCCF.

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