More outside school hours care for local families

Media Release.

Anthony Albanese

Deputy Prime Minister

Aug 7, 2013

The Rudd Labor Government has set up a new $450 million fund, to provide funding for outside school hours care to up to 500 schools across the country.
The Better Schools: Before and After program will expand outside school hours care and deliver greater flexibility and quality for local families.
“This will be a great new help for Inner West parents struggling with the daily school drop-off and pick-up rush hours,” said Labor Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese.
“It’s common for both parents to have to work so outside school hours care is a necessity.”
This fully funded initiative will expand outside school hours care including during school holidays and deliver greater flexibility and learning.
“This program will support activities such as homework clubs, music lessons, or sports programs, at no extra cost for parents,” said Mr Albanese.
“This will make it easier for busy parents in our community to balance their work and family lives. It will also give them confidence their kids are benefiting from interesting and educational programs while they are attending care outside school hours.”
The Better Schools: Before and After initiative builds on Federal Labor’s broad support to help families with the cost of living, including:

• Introducing the Schoolkids Bonus;
• Boosting the child care rebate from 30 to 50 per cent, up to $7,500 a year;
• Introducing Australia’s first national paid parental leave scheme; and
• Delivering tax cuts for all working Australians earning up to $80,000 a year.

“Last week, I visited the new Early Learning and Care Centre in Ashfield with 50 extra childcare places,” said Mr Albanese.

“Families here in the Inner West really do have a choice at this election – a Labor Government who finds news ways to support families or the Liberals who are going to make cuts to the services those families rely on.