Canadian Lead is among 53 schools across the state to share in more than $4.1 million to set up new outside schools hours care services from term three this year.

Principal Sue Knight said the service was much needed at the school, and would provide greater flexibility for parents.

"This is the most amazing opportunity for our school," she said.

"Building the case for outside school hours care for a school like ours is difficult. It's almost a chicken and egg situation, parents can't return to work or study to create demand for the service until the service is in place."

Regional schools received the bulk of the outside schools hours care funding, with another three rounds open for applications over the next two years.

"The Victorian Government is underwriting the service for four years so parents can now take on work or study with as the service is there, thus building demand the program to be sustainable long-term," Ms Knight said.

Schools will receive up to $75,000 a year for the next four years to help with the costs of establishing new services including resources and equipment, set up and administration, facility upgrades, and transport.

It will also help subsidise the viability of outside hours school care at small schools - a factor that has stopped many smaller regional schools from offering the service to parents.

IN OTHER NEWS

"This first round of grants will see a 22 per cent increase in the number of schools providing outside school hours care in regional Victoria. We are helping parents and carers to get back to work, study, training or re-enter the workforce as part of Victoria's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic," said Buninyong MP Michaela Settle.

"Regional Victoria has been the big winner out of this initiative, by expanding the number of schools providing out of hours care more parents can return to work, increase their hours or look to study options."

Our team of local journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the Ballarat community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: