NSW ECEC settings set to benefit from $698,500

A record 42 preschools and long day care centres across the New South Wales Northern Tablelands region will share in $698,500 one-off funding as part of the State Government’s continued drought relief program, Northern Tablelands MP and New South Wales Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall recently announced. 

Mr Marshall said the early learning sites would receive additional funding to help ease the cost burden on drought-affected families and ensure their children remained in engaged in education.

“The first three years of a child’s development are the most important and that’s why it’s vital the government continues to support families in rural communities to keep their kids in preschool, no matter the cost,” Mr Marshall said.

“Preschools and long day cares can use these funds to reduce fees, implement transport initiatives, staff training and environmental adjustments. The funding will ensure early childhood services in our region continue to operate, despite the potential drop in enrolments because of the drought,” he added. 

Praising the “normality and stability” that continued engagement with early learning provides during tough times such as prolonged drought, Mr Marshall said the funding would help alleviate some of the pressures families were facing in the bush.

“Whether they are from Moree, Inverell, Glen Inness or Guyra every child deserves access to a top-quality early childhood education,” he said, adding that “country kids must have the same services as their city counterparts; times are tough, but as a Government, we must continue to prioritise the support of our regional families.”

“I’m pleased to see this extra round of drought support funding for our early childhood learning facilities and I know every dollar will be welcomed and well spent,” Mr Marshall said in conclusion. 

For more information about drought funding in NSW, please see here.