From Warren Jacobson, CEO of Camp Australia, the nation's largest outside school hours care provider:
"Camp Australia welcomes the Federal Government's $40.6 million to support the mental health and wellbeing of children across Australia.
"Our recent Child Impact Survey of over 3,000 parents and 89 principals found because of the pandemic, children have felt disconnected from friendship groups and have experienced higher levels of social anxiety and emotional instability; they have spent more time in front of screens and less time being active outdoors.
"Our report echoes the same concerns outlined by Minister Hunt that mental health conditions that develop at an early age can grow in severity. This is why it's critical to support children as much as possible both inside and outside the classroom.
"Outside school hours care will continue to play a critical role in the transition out of the pandemic, providing a sense of normalcy as much as possible to support the mental wellbeing of children."
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