Distance education preschoolers back to mini school for first time since pandemic

Preschoolers learning via distance education at the Dubbo School of Distance Education (DSODE) have returned to their classroom for the first ‘mini-school’ week since the pandemic stopped face-to-face learning.

72 children from geographically isolated areas are supported by the distance education preschool program which offers them access to early learning the year before kindergarten, with responsibility for the program being split between the DSODE campus and the Broken Hill School of the Air.

The distance education preschool model caters for children who cannot physically access other early childhood education services on a regular basis, with educational programs that provide the children with opportunities to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning. The program is structured to support a smooth transition to kindergarten for students enrolled from a variety of locations across regional and rural NSW.

“We need to be maximising preschool opportunities for children in all parts of the state, including our rural and remote locations,” said NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.

“I want every family and student in NSW to have an opportunity to quality education and this is an innovative way of achieving this.”

Students in the program from rural areas including Mount Hope, Louth, Hernani and Coonabarabran visited the Dubbo campus for three days in late May, the first “Preschool Pit-Stop” since May 2021, DSODE principal Debbie Murray shared. 

“The visit is important for all our students, presenting them with wonderful opportunities to interact with their peers, teachers and some of the older primary students at the school.”

“The students were involved in an assortment of fun, hands-on and play activities during the week that saw them exploring their creativity, solving puzzles, cooking, sharing stories and learning together,” she added.

“The students also worked with Aboriginal artists to contribute to our brand-new sandstone art wall mural and ended with a fun afternoon at Dubbo’s newest adventure playground.”

The preschool program has existing places available for 2023 enrolment and interested families are encouraged to visit Distance education preschool.