NSW floods support and assistance

Many early childhood education and care services across NSW have been impacted by recent floods and storms.

Please see our NSW floods support and assistance page for important information and support available to you.

Flood support resources for services

• Storm and Flood customer care webpage – resources for if you have been impacted by flooding

• NSW Disaster Assistance Finder Tool – generate a personalised list of available programs and services you can apply for

• Flood planning resource for ECE services – information on appropriate flood preparation and response

• The Community Child Care Fund – grants to help services stay open when something unexpected happens
  

• NSW Government support – financial assistance for if your business or not-for-profit has been affected by severe weather and flooding in NSW

• Visit our website to assist you to plan, respond and recover emergencies at your service.

Disaster recovery resources for you and your colleagues

• BeYou: Educator wellbeing after a natural disaster - tips on how to balance your responsibilities and your own mental health.
• *Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Grief and Loss Network: Disasters - bushfire resources - includes an information sheet on 'The importance of teacher self care'.
• NSW Government Disaster Relief Grants for individuals – financial assistance to eligible individuals and families whose homes have been damaged by a natural disaster.

Disaster recovery resources for children at your service

• Birdie's Tree: Growing together through natural disasters - online storybooks and therapeutic games to help infants and young children affected by natural disasters.
  
• Emerging Minds: Community Trauma Toolkit - resources educators can use to support children after a disaster or traumatic event.
• Early childhood digital learning packs – resources for if children are unable to attend your service
• Red Cross Australia: Help in Emergencies - lesson plans, activity books and guides for early childhood educators.
• Be You: How to provide support after a natural disaster - tips and guidelines on supporting and comforting children after natural disasters.
• Victoria State Government Better Health Channel: Trauma and Children - information on identifying and supporting preschoolers through trauma.
• *University of Wollongong: Bushfire responseExternal link - early childhood education strategies and practices to support children who have experienced bushfire.
• *NSW Department of Education: Bushfire information for school staff - advice on how to support children in your care who have been affected by bushfires.

Disaster recovery resources for families and the community

• The Temporary Financial Hardship Subsidy – families that are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy and meet criteria may be eligible for the Temporary Financial Hardship Subsidy

• NSW Government Disaster Relief Grants for individuals – financial assistance to eligible individuals and families whose homes have been damaged by a natural disaster.
• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment - if you’re directly affected by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for financial support from the Australian Government

• *University of Wollongong: Bushfire response - early childhood education strategies and practices to support communities who have experienced bushfire.
• *Life in Mind: Mental health support for bushfire affected communities - mental health resources and services for individuals and communities.
• *NSW Department of Education: Bushfire information for parents - advice on how to support children who have been affected by bushfires.