Federal and state childcare, parenting schemes, subsidies and rebates find new home

There’s no textbook on parenting, but now there is one place to find every government scheme, subsidy and financial benefit you’re eligible for – from pregnancy to preschool.

The new hub is designed to help NSW families, like the Mangas family (pictured) access every support scheme available to them. Picture: David Swift

There’s no textbook on parenting but from today mums and dads of tiny tots will have a go-to ‘hub’ for every government scheme, subsidy and financial benefit they’re eligible for from pregnancy to preschool.

A new NSW government-run website dubbed ‘Brighter Beginnings’ has attempted to cut out the middle man across various departments, from health to education, amalgamating information from the state and federal levels to make life easier – and cheaper – for families.

The online portal is divided into six sections corresponding with each significant stage of a child’s development: pregnancy, birth to three months, three to 12 months, one to three years, three to five years, and preparation for primary school.

There are hundreds of links to support services, further information and hotlines, and in each section a ‘payments and rebates’ subsection takes parents straight to Services Australia or NSW government-funded cost of living rebates and vouchers.

Education and Early Learning Minister Prue Car said the purpose of the site is about “cutting confusion” for new parents in the “incredibly important” first five years of a child’s life.

The NSW Government Brighter Beginnings website, which contains links to hundreds of support services, schemes and free programs for parents of young children.

“This new hub offers advice on cost-of-living support, which is crucial for many families who are doing it tough,” she said.

The project has already received the tick of approval from childcare providers, with not-for-profit operator Goodstart Early Learning’s NSW manager Lisa Gibson saying it comes at a “crucial time” of government investment.

(File image) Lisa Emme, centre director of Goodstart Elara, plays with pupils Isla, Joy and Isabelle. Goodstart Early Learning has backed in the government’s decision to create the hub. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“Giving parents the tools to make informed decisions about what is best for their child’s development will help parents take advantage of the big new policy initiatives that are being rolled out to help them,” Ms Gibson said.

The site is also designed to be the ‘single source of truth’ for raising a child and the science of brain development, something NSW Health child and family health expert Dr Elisabeth Murphy said is “part of our responsibility in government” to provide.

“We really want parents to understand the importance of the first 2000 days of life, because that’s the opportunity for building their child’s brain and potential,” Dr Murphy said.

“From the minute that baby’s in their arms, they can start influencing their child’s development.”

Prue Car, Minister for Education and Early Learning, said the hub will help families facing cost-of-living pressures. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Health Minister Ryan Park said it reinforces the importance of engaging with the healthcare system from the very beginning.

“Adding a precious baby to the family is a wonderful time, but it can also be really hard and stressful, this hub will help families access the support they need,” he said.

Rushcutters Bay mum of two Anthea Mangas said when she and husband John had their first child, now-four-year-old Annamaria, lots of questions cropped up that they were unprepared for, including how to approach their employers about paid leave.

Anthea and John Mangas and their kids Annamaria, 4, and Alexandros, 1. Picture: David Swift

Now with their eldest in preschool and their youngest, one-year-old Alexandros, in daycare higher interest rates and inflated everyday living expenses have made having accurate information to hand even more crucial.

“There was a lot of research done on my part to find out what we were eligible for,” Mrs Mangas said.

“I wanted to decide for example, could I afford to put Alexandros in three days of care, instead of two days?

“I think 100 per cent it is a great idea to consolidate all of this information, and that it is a trusted resource.

“You don’t know what you don’t know, until you get to it.”

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