Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall discussing the funding windfall for St Peter’s Preschool in Armidale with Dierctor Jane Schutz and teacher Natalie Rich.
Friday, 15 June 2018
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has delivered a double whammy win for Armidale’s St Peter’s Preschool today, with NSW Government grant funding of $19,500.
Mr Marshall said the funding will allow the preschool to increase the quality of its service and the education environment for young children and their families.
“Extra funding for early childhood education is always welcome and this grant will improve the little world of little kids at St Peter’s learning about life in environments where there is a high standard of care and community,” Mr Marshall said.
“These two grants are great news for one of Armidale’s longest running pre-schools and they will be used to increase the quality of the early education they get and in a centre that prides itself on enhancing the facilities and amenities young children use.”
Mr Marshall has delivered news of a $15,000 grant under the NSW Government’s Quality Learning Environment and $4,500 from his government’s Community Grants program.
St Peter’s Preschool Director Jane Schutz, said the centre would use the larger grant to provide a bathroom upgrade at the O’Dell Street property.
“We need a new inclusive bathroom so that children have some private space,” Ms Schutz said.
“We also have children from many backgrounds and older children who would like a better sense of privacy. Our current facilities are all completely open which has its place – but we also need more private spaces for some of the children.”
Ms Schutz said the remaining funding would be used to increase the teaching skills of St Peter’s educators.
“The funding will go towards sending our staff to two workshops that educate staff on how to better aid Aboriginal students on the transition to school,” she said.
“It will also allow Elders to come into the preschool and work with the staff to learn how to better engage the local Aboriginal community.”
Mr Marshall said St Peter’s was showing an ongoing commitment to ensuring children in the Northern Tablelands have access to top quality early childhood education.
“And as the local member, that commitment makes me extremely proud,” Mr Marshall said.
“Funding like this not only improves the quality of the learning environment for children but additionally parents can also rest assured their children are having the best start to their educational journeys as possible.
“Importantly, providing staff development opportunities increases the delivery and access for more young children, including disadvantaged and Aboriginal children, to participate in quality learning.”
The Quality Learning Environments program was introduced in 2018 and is part of the NSW Government’s $332 million Start Strong Program which was introduced in 2016 and has been extended to 2021.