Relief For Local Community Preschools

Parliamentary Secretary for Education Gareth Ward MP today announced that services looking after our State’s littlest learners in the Kiama electorate will have some relief during this tough drought period, with the NSW Government announcing a $3 million package to provide financial support for community preschools in NSW.

Mr Ward said that these 2018 Drought Relief Payments will ensure early childhood education services can continue to operate during the adverse economic conditions associated with the drought period.

The following seven local community preschools will receive support:

• Kiama Preschool - $25,200
• Bomaderry Community Preschool - $24,300
• Jamberoo Community Preschool - $19,500
• Berry Community Preschool - $14,400
• Kangaroo Valley Preschool - $11,100
• Boori Preschool - $8,100
• Jerry Bailey Children’s Centre - $5,000

“Services can use this funding to assist families and children in a range of ways, including transport arrangements to maintain preschool participation, crisis planning or fee subsidies to further support families,” Mr Ward said.

“This year has been one of the driest winters on record, which is why the NSW Government has committed more than $1 billion to date to help those who are struggling.

“These payments will ensure that local community preschool services can continue to operate during the adverse economic conditions associated with the drought.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals know how crucial it is to continue to support families and businesses in areas like ours who are struggling.

The NSW Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said it is crucial the NSW Government continues to support families to ensure children always have access to top quality early childhood education, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals understand there are numerous social and economic flow-on affects from the drought, which affect local businesses and local communities,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Our goal is to help alleviate some of the pressure on families by supporting early childhood services where attendance may have dropped due to socioeconomic pressures, and also to boost service operators coping with additional challenges,” she said.

Funding will be allocated to services based on their enrolment numbers and location, and will be scaled according to the level of drought intensity.

Further information is also available on the NSW Department of Education’s website.