Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries has welcomed an additional $115 million in funding to make early childhood education more affordable for local families and reduce fees by an average of 30 per cent.

Mr Humphries said the NSW Government is committed to providing universal access to quality early childhood education.

“This is fantastic news for local families with young children,” Mr Humphries said.

“This funding boost will deliver the largest single fee reduction in NSW history, making preschool more affordable so that more children will be able to participate in 600 hours – or about 15 hours per week – of early childhood education in community preschools and long day care centres in the year before they start school.

“I know the preschools here in Barwon make a big difference to the lives of our children.” Mr Humphries said.

Starting in 2017, community preschools across the State who enrol children for at least 600 hours will receive increased subsidies from the NSW Government, enabling them to reduce fees for families.