Local early years’ services are being encouraged to apply for grants to boost the support they provide for local families.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, said that grants of up to $50,000 were available to early years’ services for resources, equipment, transport or minor service upgrades.

“The grants can be used to fund vehicles, educational toys, books and computers, playground equipment, shade sails, room refurbishments or even kitchen upgrades,” Mr Ryan said.

“I encourage local early years’ services to apply for this funding before applications close on 18 April.

“Early years’ services provide children and their families with valuable access to early childhood, health, family and parenting support services.”

Mr Ryan said the Queensland Government funded more than 160 early years’ services to support children from pre-birth to eight years of age.

“This round of funding under the Small Assets Grant program will see $700,000 go to support early years’ services,” he said.

“This is on top of $3 million which has supported 98 early years’ services under previous funding rounds.”

Applications will be assessed against key criteria and priority will be given to applications that meet one or more ‘Early Years’ priorities in the Department of Education and Training’s Strategic Plan 2015-2019.

More information can be found at http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/service/grants/small-assets-grant.html