The Territory Labor Government is offering one-off grants of up to $10,000 to NT childcare operators to support them through the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

The top-up grants are to help support the early childhood care sector offset the costs of supplies, cleaning and maintenance, which have increased due to the pandemic, and a decline in enrolments.

The Territory Labor Government is also providing dedicated support to childcare operators to guide them through the process of accessing Australian Government funding such as the JobKeeper payment and the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package.

This is in addition to guaranteeing the $5.4 million NT Early Childhood Services Subsidy, which will continue to be paid to NT childcare operators at pre-pandemic enrolment levels.

There are 150 childcare services in the Northern Territory operated by non-government entities, ranging from school councils, sole traders and small, not-for-profit community-based organisations through to large, for-profit organisations.

These services are currently working through the new Australian Government funding arrangements.

The Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package pays centres 50 per cent of the revenue they received in the fortnight leading up to 2 March.

Application forms and guidelines for the $10,000 top-up grants will be provided to the 150 NT Early Childhood Education service providers by email.

Demonstrated hardship criteria applies and operators have until 22 June to submit applications.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:

“Throughout the COVID-19 crisis our early childhood education carers and educators have been the Territory’s unsung heroes.

“They have continued to open their doors and their arms to young children in what has been a stressful time for many families and for themselves.

“We know there are some Territory operators concerned about the future viability of their services so we are reaching out to help them through this time.

“We are supporting them so they can emerge viable as we transition to our new normal.

“A strong early childhood education and care sector contributes to strong children, strong families and a strong community.”

“Keeping our child care and early learning centres open and safe is pivotal for our essential Territory workers to be able to continue to keep Territorians safe while knowing their children are in a safe environment too.”

Media contact: Hannah West 0436 641 108