KU Children’s Services has expressed deep concern over the NSW Government’s decision to remove funding for preschool programs delivered through Long Day Care (LDC) services, warning the cuts will reduce access to quality early childhood education and place additional pressure on children, families and providers across the state.
The funding reductions come at a time with little warning or genuine consultation with the sector. .
As Australia’s longest running not for profit provider of early childhood education, KU believes investment in early learning is one of the most effective ways governments can improve children’s developmental outcomes, strengthen workforce participation and support long-term community wellbeing.
Research consistently demonstrates that high-quality early childhood education programs deliver significant social, educational and economic benefits, particularly for children experiencing vulnerability, disadvantage or children with additional support needs.
KU Children’s Services Chief Executive Officer Christine Legg said the decision to remove $150M funding from preschool programs in NSW long day services risks placing quality early learning further out of reach for many families.
“ Currently two thirds of children in NSW are accessing a preschool program in a long day care service. .
These funding cuts send the wrong message at the wrong time. Early childhood services are already managing additional regulatory requirements, workforce shortages, rising costs and increasing demand for inclusion support. Reducing investment now undermines the capacity of services to provide the high-quality educational programs NSW children deserve.”
Ms Legg said the cuts would have consequences extending well beyond the early childhood sector.
“We know that participation in quality early childhood education improves children’s learning, development and wellbeing, supports families to participate in the workforce, and helps address disadvantage before children start school. It is difficult to understand why funding would be withdrawn from a program that is delivering such important outcomes for NSW children and families.”
For many families, Long Day Care services provide both early education and the flexibility required to balance work and family responsibilities. KU is concerned that reducing support for preschool programs delivered through these services will disproportionately affect working families
As a not-for-profit organisation, KU reinvests all surpluses into quality improvement, workforce development, inclusion support and educational resources that directly benefit children and families. KU has consistently advocated for government funding arrangements that prioritise quality, equity and inclusion across the whole early childhood education sector.
Ms Legg said the proposed funding cuts run counter to efforts to improve access to early learning and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. “If we are serious about ensuring every child has access to high-quality early learning, we should be strengthening investment in the sector, not reducing it.”
“Every child deserves access to high-quality early education regardless of their postcode, family circumstances or the setting they attend. The children who will start preschool in 2027 should not be the ones who bear the cost of these funding reductions.”
KU has joined with other early childhood providers and sector representatives in urging the NSW Government to reconsider the funding cuts and work collaboratively with the sector on a sustainable funding model that protects quality, equity and inclusion and ensures all children can access affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care.
ABOUT KU CHILDREN’S SERVICES
KU is one of the largest not for profit and for purpose providers of early education. Established in 1895 as the Kindergarten Union of NSW, KU was the first provider of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia and is the nation’s most experienced provider. KU is committed to ensuring children’s safety, rights and best interests remain the paramount consideration in all our decisions and actions.
