Legacy Program closed round: Community Grants program guidelines
Program overview
The Community Grants program aims to support eligible early childhood education services to increase the number of Aboriginal children and children from low income families participating in 600 hours of quality early childhood education in the two years before school.
Long Day Care services transitioning as part of the future funding arrangements for legacy services can apply for grants of up to $10,000 (ex GST).
Grants can be used to promote educational access for Aboriginal children and children from low income families, as well as initiatives that will improve educational experiences or outcomes for those children attending a service.
Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria, application requirements and spending rules.
Applications open from 19 December 2019 to 28 February 2020.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Legacy Program closed round: Community Grants program, a service must meet the following criteria:
- be a not-for-profit community preschool (centre-based or mobile) or not-for-profit long day care (as identified in the National Quality Agenda IT System* and including local government managed services) operating in NSW
- have previously received Early Childhood Education Long Day Care Grants program funding (also known as Legacy funding) and have a service provider that has accepted or intends to accept the legacy transition arrangements
- be an approved early childhood education and care service under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations or the Supplementary Provisions Act
- deliver an early childhood education program designed by a degree qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with The Early Years Learning Framework under the National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education
- be registered, or be willing to register, with the Department of Education (the Department)'s Early Childhood Contract Management System (ECCMS)
- accept and comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Early Childhood Education Grants Program.
Services are eligible to apply for the Legacy Program closed round: Community Grants program once per service approval.
*Or where sufficient evidence is provided upon request.
Application process and requirements
Applications for the Legacy Program closed round: Community Grants program should be submitted through the SmartyGrants online application system. For more information on how to use SmartyGrants please click here.
Applications for this program open from 19 December 2019 to 28 February 2020..
Applications can be submitted for grants funding of up to $10,000 (ex GST). Services may apply for funding for multiple activities in a single application, with the total amount of funding per service awarded not exceeding this amount. Services should only apply for funding for activities that are not currently funded by another grant.
Assessment criteria
The Department will assess applications and determine funding against eligibility criteria, application requirements and spending rules.
Spending rules
Activities should primarily benefit preschool aged children, including children aged 3 years and children in the year before school.
Eligible services may apply for funding to help support programs or initiatives that are in addition to business as usual activities, for example:
- transport initiatives such as establishing partnerships with local schools, councils or transport providers to increase access
- providing staff development opportunities such as training and conferences that promote outreach to Aboriginal children and disadvantaged children
- providing regular breakfasts and other resources such as backpacks to children
- providing access to specialised staff such as allied health professionals, and bicultural support workers for refugee children or children from a cultural and linguistically diverse background
- resource development such as purchasing of culturally appropriate educational resources
- engagement of an Aboriginal community member to work with the local Aboriginal community.
Funding is not available for activities where the service is receiving funding through an existing alternative source.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for resources and activities that can be fully funded through the Community Grants program.
Activities need to commence from the date the grant is awarded and approved funding must be spent by 30 June 2021. Applicants may be asked to return any unspent funding at this date. The Department must be notified of exceptional circumstances whereby approved funding cannot be expended by 30 June 2021. Notification should include an explanation for why funding has not been expended and a timeline for spending the outstanding funds. Decisions regarding unspent funds will be made by the Department on a case by case basis. Decisions will be confirmed by the Department in writing.
Payments
Grants will be paid to successful applicants as one-off payment via ECCMS.
Grants are expected to be made from April 2020. In the event of significant variation to this timetable, services and/or applicants will be notified by the Department.
Grant payments will only be progressed for applicants that are registered in ECCMS and have accepted the Terms and Conditions of the Early Childhood Education Grants Program.
Grant payments will only be progressed for applicants whose service provider has accepted the legacy transition arrangements.
The amount of funding provided will be based on the Department's assessment of amount requested and the information provided in the application.
Reporting requirements
A formal acquittal process must be undertaken within one year of the end of the spending period (e.g. within one year of 30 June 2021). This will consist of a statement of expenditure as well as a performance report.
Additional information
SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants and Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Contacts
For more information about the Community Grants program please contact:
Early Childhood Education Directorate
1800 619 113