Deadline: 14-Nov-22
The NSW Government is pleased to announce the applications for the Quality and Participation Grants Program.
Categories & their Outcomes
- Category 1: increase participation and access for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, by delivering targeted initiatives and support for Aboriginal children and children from low income families.
- Transport initiatives such as establishing partnerships with local schools, councils or transport providers to increase access
- Providing staff development opportunities such as training and conferences that promote outreach to Aboriginal children and children from low income families
- Resources that support participation and outreach for Aboriginal children and children from low income families
- Providing access to specialised staff for Aboriginal children and children from low income families
- Engagement of a community member to work with the service or the local community to support Aboriginal children and children from low income families
- Reengagement of Aboriginal and low income families where enrolments may have declined due to unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19, flood, bushfire or drought.
- Category 2: improve quality learning environments to positively impact experiences and outcomes for preschool aged children
- Minor capital works – renovations and repairs to existing buildings or premises
- Infrastructure and learning items – such as mud kitchens, outdoor sports equipment, large furniture items or portable air conditioners
- Internal events and/or excursions – the delivery of a specialised education program by an external provider within the service or outside of the service.
- Category 3: support the implementation initiatives to meet the Preschool Reform Agreement and Early Years Commitment (up to $2,500)
- Information Technology (IT) system upgrades to support attendance tracking such as software, or the purchase of IT hardware
- Accountancy support for new acquittal requirements
- Development of cultural and or community engagement strategies
- Professional development to support implementation of IT systems.
Funding Information
- Services may apply for funding for multiple initiatives they are eligible for in a single application. Category 1 and Category 2 initiatives can be funded up to a combined total of $15,000 (ex GST). Category 3 initiatives can be funded up to $2,500 (ex GST).
- The following service types can apply for grants funding of up to $15,000 (ex GST) for Category 1 and Category 2:
- Not-for-profit community preschool (centre-based or mobile)
- Not-for-profit long day care (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT System, or where sufficient evidence is provided upon request) and includes local government managed services
- Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service operating in NSW
- Aboriginal Child and Family Centres operating in NSW.
- The following service types can apply for grants funding of up to $2,500 (ex GST) for Category 3 initiatives:
- Not-for-profit community preschool (centre-based or mobile)
- Not-for-profit long day care (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT System, or where sufficient evidence is provided upon request) and includes local government managed services
- Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service operating in NSW
- Aboriginal Child and Family Centres operating in NSW
- Standalone for-profit long day cares.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Quality and Participation Grants Program, a service must meet the following criteria.
- Be one of the following eligible service types:
- Not-for-profit community preschool (centre-based or mobile)
- Not-for-profit long day care (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT System, or where sufficient evidence is provided upon request) and includes local government managed services
- Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service operating in NSW
- Aboriginal Child and Family Centres operating in NSW
- Standalone for-profit long day care (defined as for-profit providers operating a single long day care service as identified by the National Quality Agenda IT System).
- Be an approved early childhood education and care service under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations or the Supplementary Provisions Act
- Deliver an early childhood education program in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework .
Exclusions
- Funding cannot be used for:
- Resources already funded by the department through another Early Childhood Education Directorate program, such as Start Strong Capital Works or Minor Capital Works as part of the Disability and Inclusion Program
- Activities where the service is receiving funding through an existing alternative source
- Items with high risk factors including trampolines
- Resources primarily intended for staff use such as kitchen appliances and parking spaces
- Staff salaries and related staffing costs (i.e. annual leave)
- Upgrades to mobile preschool venues that are not owned by the provider.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3NtuwQ1