CCSA welcomes NSW free preschool announcement

Community Connections Solutions Australia (CCSA), a peak organisation representing early childhood services in rural and remote communities across New South Wales, has welcomed the announcement last week that the NSW Government will provide free preschool for up to six months for children attending community and mobile preschools in the state.

“Over the last eight weeks we have been deeply engaged with the early childhood education and care sector in response to COVID-19 and we are pleased the department has listened and responded to the concerns of our members that we have brought to their attention. We have always advocated the importance of early childhood education services and the wellbeing of the dedicated workforce during this unprecedented time,” CEO Meg Mendham said. 

While some ECEC services were previously overlooked in the JobKeeper package, Ms Mendham said the revised commitment means services will be able to stay open and remain available to children in all communities and service types, with children of all ages who attend a local government operated long day care, community preschool or mobile service now supported. 

“CCSA recognises that small stand-alone early childhood education services in rural and remote communities face unique challenges. With so many still reeling from the effects of drought and bushfire, preschools and mobile preschools are struggling to remain viable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will provide relief for parents and some certainty to ensure these services remain open and accessible to children and families, especially in these communities,” Ms Mendham added.

To learn more about CCSA’s work, please see here. For information on free preschool services in NSW, see here.