Early childhood revival for Baan Baa, bringing hope for families following school closure 

Young families in the regional New South Wales community of Baan Baa and surrounds are feeling hopeful about the future, with the announcement of a new early learning service to be delivered thanks to a partnership with the Ooranga Family Mobile Resource Unit.

Options for learning onsite in Baan Baa have been limited since the closure of the Baan Baa school many years ago, something which has hampered the movement of young families to the area. 

Following a successful fortnightly playgroup at Baan Baa Hall in 2024, the Hall Committee has been working with Ooranga Family Mobile Resource Unit to open a mobile preschool service in the Baan Baa Hall early in 2025.

“It’s fantastic we get to see the service expand,” Hall Committee member Ellen McClung said, speaking with local news source Narrabri Courier.

“The preschool plans to operate Tuesdays and Wednesdays during school terms with the playgroup to continue fortnightly on a Thursday.”

The preschool sessions will be offered to families free of charge, Ooranga director Leanne Pryor said. 

“We will be offering 18 places on Tuesday and Wednesday with the option of a third day if there is sufficient interest. I will have three of my most experienced and top-ranking educators running the sessions and if parents are interested, they can ring the Gunnedah office to enrol their child or obtain further information.”

There are no residential restrictions, so families from Baan Baa, Narrabri, Boggabri and surrounds are all welcome to enrol. In preparation for the early learners, the Hall, which is more than 100 years old, has been given some ‘dynamic upgrades,’ such as new fencing, air conditioning and a folding partition. 

Both Boggabri Coal and Whitehaven Coal have supported the changes, with the Hall Committee also receiving sponsorship from Whitehaven Coal for resources for the playgroup earlier this year, including a new sandpit and a yarning circle mat.

A NSW School Holiday Break program grant of $10,000 will also allow the Hall to offer school holiday activities in the January and autumn school holidays next year.

Read the original coverage of this story here.