Round 1 applications will be open from 22 April until 23 May 2025.

Round 2 applications will be open from 23 May until 20 June 2025.

Services can only apply in one round. The department will email each service inviting them to apply in the round relevant to them.

For the purpose of this program, attendance boosting is an activity designed to support enrolled children attend their enrolment schedule.

This is a targeted, competitive grant open to a specific cohort of services that meet the eligibility criteria. More information about the eligibility criteria is available (refer to Section 4 in the Program Guidelines).

If you are unsure if you are eligible, please review the program guidelines. If after reviewing the program guidelines you are still unsure, please contact the department on 1800 619 113 or email ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au.

Eligible services in Campbelltown and Fairfield will be included in Round 1. Eligible services in Kempsey and Walgett will be included in Round 2.

The Preschool Attendance Boosting Project will build the evidence base on preschool attendance boosting activities. It is comprised of two components; a research project that will result in actionable recommendations on effective strategies to improve attendance, and a grant program for services to deliver evidence-based attendance boosting activities.

Eligibility has been established to ensure a sufficient sample size of service type and location, while ensuring that the service works closely with children who will benefit the most from this program.

This project is being delivered in a small number of areas as part of a research project. A thorough research and site selection process was used to decide which areas would be involved.

Funding should be used for activities that primarily focus on supporting children who are enrolled in the service to attend their enrolment schedule. Attendance boosting activities are those that aim to increase attendance and may include (but are not limited to) activities such as:

• community and family outreach
• transportation support
• enhance cultural safety and inclusiveness of ECEC services
• support educators working with children who have additional needs.

Each individual item that exceeds $30,000 (exclusive of GST) requires a quote to be uploaded in the grant application form. Items can include resources and physical goods, training and any external costs. Quotes are not required for staffing and on costs.

Each service will be assigned a Practice Partner to provide support in completing the application. The service partner will be organised by the University of Wollongong who are designing, delivering and evaluating the research project. Practice Partners may be from the University of Wollongong, SNAICC-National Voice for our Children, Community Early Learning Australia or a community member with sector experience.

Funding will be paid in in accordance with the funding agreement. It is intended that payment to services (excluding public preschools) will be made through the departments online SAP system.

Successful services will receive their grant award as an electronic transfer into their nominated bank account. The department may contact services to confirm or collect details needed to set them up as a vendor.

Yes, joint applications will ble considered where 2 eligible services wish to work together. Both services must meet the eligibility criteria.

One service must act as the primary (or lead) applicant. The primary applicant is responsible for:

• completing and submitting the application form
• signing the Funding Agreement
• receiving the full grant payment
• meeting all department reporting requirements.

The secondary service will be named in the application and may have additional reporting requirements set by the University of Wollongong as part of the projects research activities.

It is important that both services agree on their roles and responsibilities before applying.