The NSW government has pledged more than $130 million to save childcare sector jobs by providing parents with free care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Thursday announced a $51 million funding package to cover the cost of preschool fees for up to six months and up to $82 million to support council childcare centres ineligible for JobKeeper payments.
"Parents are under a lot of pressure at the moment and it's crucial for them to continue to have access to childcare, particularly those working on the frontline during this crisis," Ms Berejiklian said in a statement.
"This will also provide funding certainty during an unpredictable time, ensuring preschool teachers and educators can be confident they will remain employed."
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the funding means community preschools and council childcare centres would be required to remain open unless closed on health advice.
"We know that sector has been hit quite hard with what's been happening with COVID-19, I know there's been some concerns about viability for those services with funding enrolments dropping," Ms Mitchell told reporters on Thursday.
Ms Mitchell said her government's Start Strong funding arrangement covers about 70 per cent of a preschool's overall budget based on enrolments.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell. Source: AAP
"Today is about filling that 30 per cent they'd normally get from fees," she said.
