After waiting in bated breath to see what the future would bring for their child care centres, Tamworth Regional Council is waiting on further confirmation.
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A government package announced on Thursday by premier Gladys Berejiklian will see $82 million given out to over 260 council-run childcare centres who are not eligible for the JobKeeper payments.
Local Government NSW said the move was a 'win' after their strong push to save these centres, but added money was still lacking for other council services.
The financial aid means parents will now not have to pay preschool fees for up to six months thanks to another $51 million funding package from the NSW Government.
Tamworth Regional Council Manager Cultural and Community Services, Kay Delahunt, said advice is still being sought from LGNSW as to whether the announced funding applies to Tamworth's local Year Round Care service.
Without this rescue package we were looking at the closure of council-run childcare centres.
- Linda Scott
"Council delivers Outside School Hours Care through its Year Round Care operations from premises at Tamworth Public School and West Tamworth Public School," she explained.
The Vacation Care program will run only from the West Tamworth Public School premises.
"Any essential service workers needing vacation care is encouraged to call the service on 6766 6862," she said.
LGNSW President Linda Scott said their campaign to save council early childhood education has been won.
"Without this rescue package we were looking at the closure of council-run childcare centres," Cr Scott said.
The Morrison-McCormack Government on Wednesday voted down an amendment to the JobKeeper legislation that recognised the importance of local government and acknowledged that without support, up to 45,000 council employees across the nation could lose their jobs.
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"Funding councils is the solution to the nation's recovery from COVID-19," Cr Scott said.
"But, without State Government stimulus, councils are facing an almost impossible task in the months ahead.
"If funded by the NSW State Government, councils can employ people to build the infrastructure for the future, and deliver the community supports needed to ensure no one is left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic."
