Children who attend Armidale’s Minimbah Preschool from this year will be better positioned to begin the journey to big school with the opening of a new $570,000 transition room, which opens up 25 new preschool positions for families in the rural New South Wales town. 

Although the space was opened officially in late December by local MP Adam Marshall, the beginning of the new school term will “put the room through its paces”.

The advent of the new space will mean the Minimbah now has space to run separate rooms for three year old children, four year old children, and children who are moving to Kindergarten (the first year of school) in 2022.  

Speaking with local publication The Armidale Express Minimbah Preschool Director, Rebecca Murray, said the added space would enable flexibility within the program, and offer opportunities to deliver educational programs which centre on Aboriginal ways of learning, and culture. 

“At its heart this project has been about creating a smooth transition from the Preschool to Primary school while helping us to provide the best start for the education of the children of our community,” she told The Armidale Express.

She expressed her gratitude to the NSW Government for the opportunity to be of service to the community. 

An important aspect of the build was the engagement of contractors JNC Group, who are not only local to Armidale, but an Aboriginal owned business, employing local Aboriginal people. 

“What better way to start the 2021 school year than with this brand-new room, new friends in the playground and improved educational outcomes for the entire school community,” Mr Marshall said.

To access the original coverage of this story, please see here.