Grants to ‘help more children in NSW Central West to feel included’

Early childhood teacher Mick Wallace has spoken out about the value of grants to promote inclusivity in his local community of Orange, in the Central West region of New South Wales. 

Mr Wallace’s service is one of many in the region who are set to benefit from more than $55,000 in funding for early childhood education and care settings in the region to invest in attendance-encouraging initiatives, local MP Dugald Saunders said.

Speaking to local news source Central Western Daily, NSW upper house member Sam Farraway said services across NSW were “encouraged to apply for grants of up to $100,000 to support transport initiatives, and grants of up to $10,000 for vital activities such as breakfast programs and Aboriginal culture classes to further encourage preschool attendance.”

Services who have already been successful in securing grants in the region include: 

• Dubbo West Preschool – $35,361.62 to purchase cultural resources and a totem pole climbing frame, as well as a vehicle and operational costs
• Gowrie Dubbo – $10,000 towards a preschool minibus
• Buninyong Preschool – $10,000 towards the purchase of cultural resources, as well as staff development

NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said it is “absolutely crucial” for children to experience some kind of early childhood education prior to attending school.

“We know the cognitive, social and emotional benefits a child gains from attending an early childhood education service are incredibly valuable,” Ms Mitchell said.

To read the coverage of this story from the Central Western Daily, please see here. For more information about the variety of grants available, please see here.