Territory Labor has committed to doubling the availability of preschool to four-year-olds if it wins the upcoming election. The measure is being pitched as a way to get women back into the workforce and ease cost of living pressures, but it won't be available to everyone.
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00:00For Leo, giving his two children the best start in life is everything, and with the
00:07rising cost of living, the promise of more free childcare could be a big winner.
00:12Yeah, I think it's welcome, definitely.
00:14We have our children in care part time.
00:17While he can get by without it, the jingly father says he can see why a commitment to
00:22expand free preschool hours would be welcome news to many.
00:26I think there are parents out there who would really appreciate the extra support.
00:31It can be really expensive.
00:33Territory Labor this morning vowing to spend $35 million over four years, if re-elected,
00:40to double the hours of free preschool offered to four-year-olds from 15 hours a week to
00:4630.
00:47In the first year, there'll be 10 schools, we'll identify 10 schools, we'll continue
00:52to roll that out until we have 25 schools over the first term of government.
00:57The Labor leader saying it would save families up to $5,000 a year per child, and entice
01:04parents to rejoin the workforce.
01:06At this baby playgroup in Darwin's northern suburbs, parents are intrigued.
01:11Yeah, I guess it's a great idea, I'm just not sure how they're going to staff it.
01:16It'd make a great difference towards the family budget.
01:20The NT Early Childhood Alliance also welcoming the policy.
01:24The Alliance is incredibly supportive of any initiatives that come out in favour of investment
01:30into early childhood, and this includes the government's latest initiative.
01:36It's a great first step.
01:37The CLP is yet to outline its early education policy, amid a push from advocates for more
01:44resources.
01:45The workforce shortage, it's a national problem at the moment, and certainly we see this in
01:50the NT.
01:51An issue that, if resolved, will give the next generation the best start possible.