$20 million flexible childcare trial opens for applications in NSW

Shift workers and families in NSW’s childcare deserts will have access to more services and longer hours as applications open for providers to snag a share in $20 million of government grants.

Shift workers and families in NSW’s childcare deserts will have access to more services and longer hours, with the sector welcoming $20 million in government grants to test out flexible care arrangements.

The state government is encouraging eligible daycare, preschool and before-and-after school care service providers to apply for a share in the ‘Flexible Initiatives Trial’ funding pool, designed to cover the costs associated with extended hours of operation, flexible pick-up and drop-off times, as well as starting up new services in regional and remote communities.

NSW Family Day Care Association CEO Anita Jovanovski said the two-year scheme will help service providers overcome some of the cost barriers associated with making care more flexible and more accessible.

“It’s about looking at effective ways that we could service those … communities in those ‘desert’ areas so that (parents) can go back to work,” she said.

“There are a lot more parents these days doing very different hours of work … (including) shift workers such as hospitality workers and nurses.

NSW Family Day Care Association CEO Anita Jovanovski said it will help providers overcome cost barriers.

“I think it is really important that we are trying to find opportunities where we can support those families … and make sure that the quality of care (is) at a very high standard.”

Australian Childcare Alliance NSW CEO Chiang Lim also welcomed the investment, but warned the government needs to concurrently address regulatory issues that leave “very little” flexibility for providers, including a rule requiring centres to have a qualified teacher present at all times.

A recent report by the NSW Productivity Commissioner found fewer than one in five NSW centres offer flexible opening hours.

“In other words, for a service that starts at 6:30 in the morning, you must have been a teacher there already … and if it closes at 6pm the teacher must be there until they shut, so … recruiting teachers in long daycare becomes a nightmare,” he said.

“We welcome the ability to try different approaches to achieve the same, if not better outcomes … the issue is, what are we trying to achieve?

“We’ve had 11 years of the current system, (and) it’s not working.”

A recent report by the NSW Productivity Commissioner found fewer than one in five NSW centres offer flexible opening hours, and that flexibility ranks as the third most significant barrier to childcare for families, after high or uncertain out-of-pocket costs.

The Commissioner also recommended “reconsidering regulatory requirements” that discourage and prevent flexibility and expansion of services.

The funding scheme is now open for applications via the Department of Education site.