BALANCING work and life for families in regional NSW will become easier thanks to a $37.9-million investment in before- and after-school care.

Acting Premier Paul Toole and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell visited Bulahdelah Central School this week, one of 35 small regional schools to receive a financial boost to establish before- and after-school care in the community.

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Mr Toole said the funding would help families access before- and after-school care, no matter where they live.

“This investment will give parents in small regional communities more flexibility and make the juggle between work and raising a family that little bit easier,” Mr Toole said.

“The NSW Government has committed more than $20 million to establish before- and after-school care services in smaller communities like Bulahdelah, where a traditional service is unviable.”

The Government is supporting working families by expanding before- and after-school care services across NSW, creating an additional 19,420 places in the last three years.

“All parents know how hard it is to try and get to work but also have to pick up kids and drop them off to school.

“It’s especially hard in those communities that don’t have before- and after-school care, but that’s why the New South Wales government made this $37.9-million announcement,” Mr Toole said.

The $37.9-million investment adds to the NSW Government’s existing $235-million commitment, to help support and grow the before- and after-school care sector to improve access and affordability for NSW families.

“This is about giving parents the choice,” said Mr Toole.

“We know that many mums and dads want to get back to work earlier and if they have before- and after-school care provided in these communities, then they will be able to do that,” he said.

The BASC package includes more than $20 million to expand BASC provision in regional schools and more than $16 million for grants to improve transport services to BASC services.

By Tara CAMPBELL