Quality and Participation Grants Program

The Quality and Participation Grants Program supports eligible early childhood education services to:

• 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 (Category 1)
• improve quality learning environments to positively impact experiences and outcomes for preschool aged children (Category 2)
• support implementation initiatives to meet the requirements under the Preschool Reform Agreement and Early Years Commitment (Category 3).

This program supports the participation in 600 hours of quality early childhood education in the two years before school. The program is open to not-for-profit community preschools (centre-based and mobile) and not-for-profit long day cares, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, Aboriginal Child and Family Centres and for-profit providers operating a single long day care service. For-profit providers operating a single long day care service are eligible for funding to support the implementation initiatives to meet the requirements under the Preschool Reform Agreement and Early Years Commitment.

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