Moree families benefit from funding windfall from NSW Government

The New South Wales Government has announced nearly $20,000 in funding, aiming to increase the number of children attending quality early childhood education in Moree.

Funding for cultural programs at three local centres was announced by Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who visited Goodstart Early Learning Moree, hosted by Director Lauren Kinchella, to announce that the service would receive $3,022.23 of the funding.

“The cognitive, social and emotional benefits a child gains from attending an early childhood education service are incredibly valuable,” Mr Marshall said.

Praising the Community Grants Program, from which the funding was drawn, Mr Marshall noted its role in increasing the number of Aboriginal children and children from disadvantaged backgrounds, attending preschool across the region.

“Alongside Goodstart, Grace Lutheran Preschool has received $6,237.80 and Moree Preschool $10,000 to assist with staff training, the development of preschool information packs and to buy culturally appropriate educational resources,” he added. 

Ms Kinchella said she looked forward to working with families to ensure their children received a culturally appropriate start to their education journey.

“Of our current 88 families enrolled at the centre around a quarter of those are from an Aboriginal background,” she said.

“We will use this grant to engage our staff in culturally appropriate training which we hope will make these families feel a greater sense of belonging when they send their child to Goodstart.

“We also want to improve the experience of the children we already have enrolled by embedding genuine local aboriginal perspectives and ideas into our day to day teaching,” Ms Kinchella added, thanking Mr Marshall and the State Government “for supporting us in providing education to as many Moree families as possible.”