Wednesday, 28 February 2018
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is urging all preschools across the region to apply for funding as part of a $15 million injection from the NSW Government to ensure children attending preschools have the safest and most engaging learning environments.
“This is boost in funding is great news for our local preschools,” Mr Marshall said.
“Preschools can apply again for support to cover items like new play equipment to encourage a child’s hand-eye co-ordination, replacing bark with soft fall in the outdoor play area to reduce risk of injury or new air conditioning to give children a more comfortable learning environment.
“The new funding is made up of the $10 million Quality Learning Environments fund and the $5 million Capital Works Grants fund, both within the government’s Start Strong program.”
According to Mr Marshall, the Start Strong program is already making a huge difference to preschools across the Northern Tablelands.
“Data from the 2017 Community Preschool Census shows that not only have average daily fees reduced by 25 per cent since the implementation of Start Strong, but also the number of children attending 600 hours of preschool increase by a huge 40 per cent across the board,” he said.
The NSW Government’s $332 million Start Strong program was introduced in 2016 and has been extended until 2021 – this investment is more than ever before.
The $5 million Capital Works Grants fund is aimed at increasing the number of 600 hours preschool places in NSW where there is demonstrated need and the $10 million Quality Learning Environments will not only enhance a child’s physical learning environment, but will also optimise the health and safety of children attending preschool.
For more information on the grants and how to apply, please visit www.education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education