With an investment of $5.3 million from the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund, the BCDP is being trialled in 3 priority areas of NSW – around Campbelltown, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour – in 2024-2026.

The BCDP trial will provide key staff at eligible ECEC services with up to 170 hours of tailored support in business leadership, capability development and management.

The program aims to reduce administration time, boost workforce satisfaction and increase business sustainability. Ultimately, it will give participating services more time to do what they do best – educating and caring for children.

The BCDP will be delivered in 2 stages from August 2024 to March 2026. Each stage will be undertaken in close collaboration with the program partner/s who will provide face-to-face, localised delivery that is customised to the needs of each service:

1. Stage 1 – Discover and plan: business review and development of an action plan (up to 12 hours).
2. Stage 2 – Implement: bespoke program of capability development activities to uplift service leadership and management skills, based on the action plan. Stage 2 includes support to embed practices and implement strategies for continued success after the program ends (up to 158 hours).

Participating services will be eligible for access payments of up to $13,650 per service to facilitate their participation in the program. Access payments can be used to backfill staff and/or supplement wage expenses for staff participating outside of work hours.

Applications

Applications to participate in the program are open to approved ECEC service providers with between 1 and 6 NSW services – including centre-based long day care or community preschool/s and/or mobile preschool/s – in one of the 3 priority 2021 Statistical Area Level 3 (‘SA3’ areas) as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics:

• Campbelltown  

• Coffs Harbour  

• Dubbo 

(Note that public preschools, family day care services, outside school hours care services and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations which are supported by the Sector Strengthening Partnership are not eligible for the BCDP trial.)

If your service meets all the eligibility criteria and you are interested in participating in the BCDP, we encourage you to:

• register to attend the information session at midday on Wednesday 8 May 2024

• read the example scenarios to understand how this program works

• read the detailed program guidelines to understand everything you need to know before you start – including eligibility, program scope, and how to apply

• contact the NSW Department of Education to ask questions, find out more and connect with your local team who can support you to apply.
  

Key dates

Contact

Early Childhood Education Information and Enquiries
1800 619 113
ececd@det.nsw.edu.au