Surplus Funds Retention Application - Start Strong for Community Preschools

Providers are required to expend all annual Start Strong for Community Preschools funding in accordance with the spending rules during the relevant program period. As per the Early Childhood Outcomes Program Funding Terms and Conditions, surplus funds that are identified at the end of a provider's reporting need to be returned to the department. 

From 2023, providers have different options for managing surplus funds depending on the amount of surplus reported at the end of the reporting period. Please see section 'Financial accountabilities and funding compliance' in the applicable year program guidelines for more information. 

Surplus refers to Program Payment surplus and any surplus fee relief funds remaining after a provider has expended fee relief funds in accordance with Fee Relief spending rules of the applicable program year guidelines.

Using this form, providers may submit an application to request a retention of surplus funds equal or greater to $30,000, or 10% of the provider's annual program payment allocation (depending on whichever is higher). The Annual Program Payment refers to Start Strong funds to be used for the service’s operating expenses.

Service providers are required to complete a separate form for each service, or for the same service across a different program year. 

The information submitted in this application will be assessed against a service's annual acquittal information, program's objectives and spending rules. The approval of a surplus funds application is at the discretion of the department.

In this application, providers are required to outline:

1. Program Surplus Funds
2. Fee Relief Surplus Funds (excludes Reserved Fee Relief Funds)
3. Operational need to retain the funds above threshold surplus.

You will be asked to upload evidence to support your application. Once you begin the form, you may save your progress and return to it at any time. For help with the online application system, contact SmartyGrants Support Desk 03 3920 6888 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or email service@smartygrants.com.au. 

For support related to program guidelines and surplus application, please contact the department at 1800 619 113 or ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au.

Please ensure that you have completed the financial accountability report relevant to your funding reporting agreement and submit it through the Early Childhood Contract Management System (ECCMS). 

• If your organisation reports on a calendar year, ensure the relevant calendar year report is completed. 
• If your organisation reports on a financial year, ensure the relevant financial year report is completed.

Further information is available in the Financial Accountability Return Guide and on the Financial Accountability - Information for Services page.

The NSW Department of Education (the department) is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act).

The department is collecting personal information including your name, contact and employment details. The provision of this information is voluntary. However, if you do not provide this information then the department may not be able to review or process your request to retain a surplus from the Start Strong for Community Preschools program funding.  

The department will use this information to review your service’s Surplus, in accordance with the relevant year Early Childhood Outcomes Program Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions and the applicable Start Strong for Community Preschools program guidelines, to assess whether your service can retain the Surplus.

The department will not disclose your personal information to third parties unless authorised by law, or with consent.

Your personal information will be held and managed by the department in accordance with the PPIP Act, and subject to the privacy policy published by the department. For further information, including the department’s address, please see the department’s Privacy Management Plan and Privacy policy.

If you have a concern or complaint about the way your personal information has been collected, used or disclosed you should contact: legal.privacy@det.nsw.edu.au.

You have the right to access and correct the information you provide. If you wish to do so, please contact ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au.