Medowie families will soon have better access to before and after school care.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state government has awarded Medowie Public School $30,000 to expand its out of school hours care program, with up to 120 new places.
“This funding is great news for busy families in Medowie, who need the extra flexibility that before and after school care provides,” Port Stephens Duty MLC Catherine Cusack said.
The school secured the grant from the Before and After School Care Fund, a $20 million NSW Government initiative.
Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said applications are open for the third phase of Before and After School Care Fund grants.
“This program is open to all schools in NSW that would like to establish or expand an out of school hours care program,” Minister Mitchell said.
“Grants of up to $30,000 are available to help with costs such as fit-outs, tendering or equipment. As a working parent, I understand how challenging it can be to juggle work and family commitments.”
Related reading:
Medowie Public School principal Allison Thompson said the school had already begun hall renovations, which include the addition of a kitchen and storage areas, to bring the Port Stephens Council-run service to the school.
Previously students from the school who needed after school care would catch a bus to Wirreanda Public School.
“Even though there has been a good relationship between the schools it came to a point where it was unworkable,” Mrs Thompson said.
“Wirreanda had grown and had less positions available. It was also taking our students half an hour to get there, so on some occasions the students were only in care for 10 minutes before the parents picked them up.”
Mrs Thompson said the provision of on-site care was a big win.
“The parents have been really happy to see this service start this year having that peace of mind of having their children to be able to go from care into classes of a morning and from the playground with the friends in the day to after school care with that continuity.”
For more information on the Before and After School Care Fund, visit the Department of Education website at www.dec.nsw.gov.au/our-services/children-and-youth/out-of-hours-school-care-grant
