Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall with students from Inverell’s Kindamindi Preschool, which has received an additional $16,500 in drought support funding from the State Government.
Monday, 9 December 2019
NORTHERN Tablelands MP and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said a record 42 preschools and long day care centres across the region would share in $698,500 one-off funding as part of the State Government continued drought relief program.
Mr Marshall said the the early childhood learning centres would receive additional funding to help ease to cost burden on drought-affected families and ensure their children remained 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.
“This funding will ensure early childhood services in our region continue to operate, despite the potential drop in enrolments because of the drought.
“In tough conditions like these, we need to ensure our children have access to normality and stability in the form of school and early childhood learning.”
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.
“Our 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.”