Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education, Maxine McKew, announced on the 13th of January that KU Children’s Services has been awarded the national contract to administer the Inclusion Support Subsidy program.

The Inclusion Support Subsidy is a contribution paid to eligible child care services to build their capacity to accommodate children with a diagnosed disability, children undergoing an assessment for a disability and refugees. The Australian Government has allocated $52 million per year for the Inclusion Support Subsidy.

“The Inclusion Support Subsidy plays a critical role in supporting child care providers to deliver quality services for children with ongoing high support needs. I know that many child care providers are passionate about this aspect of their service and I commend them for their commitment to these children and their families,” Ms McKew said.

KU Children’s Services is a long established not for profit child care provider delivering services in over 150 early childhood centres throughout Australia.

“KU Children’s Services will operate as the single national Inclusion Support Subsidy program provider. This change is expected to deliver increased consistency, efficiency and flexibility within the program,” Ms McKew said.

The Australian Government places a high priority on improving the early childhood education opportunities for children with ongoing high support needs. The Inclusion Support Subsidy is available to a wide range of child care services including both private and community centre based Long Day Care, Outside School Hours Care including Vacation Care, Family Day Care, Occasional Care, and In Home Care as well as other flexible and innovative services, such as mobile child care services.

For further information on the Inclusion Support Subsidy, visit: www.deewr.gov.au/ChildCareInclusionandPSP