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Deciphering the Distinctions:

Understanding the distinctions between Preschools and Long Day Care has posed a challenge for families navigating early education choices. While Preschools may initially appear as a cost-effective and fitting choice for transitioning to school, a closer examination reveals crucial differences and similarities.

Parents with children in Preschools do not receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS) from the government, necessitating the payment of all preschool fees out of pocket.

Preschools typically operate with significantly reduced daily hours, often strictly from 9am to 3pm, limiting options for working families and creating time constraints as compared with Long Day Care (LDC) which often operates from 7:30am to 6pm.

LDC offered by Heritage House provides up to five meals a day prepared by an onsite cook. Preschools require families to pack all food, including morning tea and lunches daily, adding an extra responsibility for time-strapped parents.

It’s important to note that both Preschools and LDC centres operate under identical regulations and offer the same ‘preschool program.’ There is no disparity in educational or operational requirements between the two.

Both LDC centres and Preschools receive Start Strong Funding (SSF) from the NSW Government. However, once the inclusion of CCS for LDC families is considered, it may emerge as a more economical and convenient choice for families to opt for LDC centres over Preschools.

 

So what exactly is Start Strong Funding?

In recent years, early childhood education and high-quality preschool programs have gained recognition as a crucial foundation for success in school and beyond. In New South Wales (NSW), the government has taken significant strides to support families and childcare providers through initiatives like the Start Strong Free Preschool Funding program, which aims to provide high-quality early learning education in the two years before children begin school. As an approved provider of the NSW Start Strong Free Preschool Funding program, we’re excited to share with you all the details you need to know about this invaluable resource. In this blog, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Start Strong, its benefits and eligibility criteria.

 

Understanding Start Strong Free Preschool Funding:

Start Strong Free Preschool Funding is a government initiative to provide eligible children aged 3 to 6 years old with access to quality early childhood education in the two years before they start school. This is in addition to Australian Government Child Care Subsidy payments, which most families are eligible for.
If your child is enrolled at an eligible long day care, your service will spread the annual fee relief across the number of operating weeks for the calendar year and apply it as a reduction to your child’s weekly fees.

For example, if a service is open 50 weeks a year, they will pass on a reduction of:

• up to $2110 each year for children who are at least 4 years old on, or before, 31 July 2024
• up to $500 each year for children who are 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on, or before 31 July 2024

 

Benefits of Start Strong Funding:

• Accessibility: Start Strong Funding enhances access to early childhood education, ensuring that all children, regardless of socio-economic status, have equal opportunities to participate in a quality preschool program.
• Affordability: By offering 15 hours of free preschool education per week, Start Strong alleviates the financial burden on families, making early education more accessible and affordable.
• Quality Education: Ensuring providers are approved guarantees high-quality education, as it signifies a commitment to meeting rigorous standards. This dedication ensures that children receive a top-notch early learning experience, preparing them for success both in school and beyond.
• Equity: Start Strong promotes equity by prioritising children from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring that every child has the support they need to succeed.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for Start Strong Free Preschool Funding, children must:

• Be aged between 3 and 6 years old
• Not be enrolled in primary school
• Be attending an approved early childhood education and care service in NSW (like Heritage House)!

All NSW families are eligible regardless of Citizenship or residency status.

 

How to access the preschool fee relief for 2024?

If you are wondering how to claim the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief, contact your childcare centre to receive the fee relief declaration form. Families are required to complete a declaration form to nominate the centre they would like to receive fee relief from. Fee relief will be passed on to you by your service as a reduction to your fees.

Families can only receive this fee relief from one childcare centre, at any one time.

 

At Heritage House Childcare & Early Learning Centres, we are proud to be approved providers of this program, and we are dedicated to providing enriching preschool experiences that set children on the path to success in school and in life. If you’d like to learn more about Start Strong Funding or schedule a tour of one of our centres, please don’t hesitate to contact us.