Parents of four year olds at Northern Beaches Council’s pre-schools will benefit from a reduction in fees in 2017 following a funding boost from the NSW Government.

Fees will be reduced at Manly Community and Ivanhoe Park pre-schools by approximately $10 per child per day. There will also be reductions for low-income and indigenous families.

“Northern Beaches Council is really pleased to be able to provide quality childcare services for our community and we are delighted that the additional funding from the State Government can be passed on directly to help support local families,” David Kerr, Deputy General Manager Northern Beaches Council.

“We are the largest provider of childcare on the Northern Beaches providing Long Day Care, Pre-school, Family Day Care and Vacation Care to more than 4800 children, Mr Kerr said.

From January 2017, increased subsidies will be provided for children enrolling for at least 600 hours (15 hours a week) in the year before school and for children aged 3 from low income and Aboriginal families.

Parents will also benefit from a delayed increase in fees for Long Day Care at The Roundhouse and Harbour View Children’s Centres.

Previously at The Roundhouse Children’s Centre and Harbour View Children’s Centre, fee increases were implemented from 1 January each calendar year as opposed to 1 July for all other Children’s Services.

To support the alignment of fees, Council will not introduce any other changes until July, providing parents with an extra six months at the new rates.

Northern Beaches Council still has some childcare spaces available in 2017, to enquire please call Children’s Services on 9942 2428.

The NSW Government is providing the extra funding under its Start Strong program to make preschool education more affordable for families.