Thirteen new preschool positions on the way for Bingara after Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced a $157,330 grant with Gwydir Shire Council Social Services Manager Suzanne Webber, left, and Bingara Preschool Director Charmian Reading, right.
Monday, 11 January 2021.
THE number of preschool spaces at Bingara is set to explode this year, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announcing a $172,330 State Government grant to construct a new room at the popular early childhood education facility.
Mr Marshall said 13 additional spaces each day would be created as a result of the build.
“This project, nearly three years in the making, will deliver life-long educational benefits to the families of Bingara,” Mr Marshall said.
“The addition of a new, separate space in the preschool will allow educators to provide individualised programs for the different age groups who attend.
“In particular, it means educators have a ‘quiet area’ where they can work with children who need additional help with their learning and behaviour.
“We know having the ability to cater to the individual needs of the child is vital for providing a quality educational program to all ages and stages of development.
“On top of the new room, $15,000 will be spent on improvements to the existing preschool building, reducing the facilities maintenance bill.
“I look forward to seeing the educational benefits this project delivers, once the room is complete around the middle of this year.”
Gwydir Shire Council Social Services Manager Suzanne Webber said council had been desperately trying to gain funding for this project since 2017.
“Over consecutive years there has been a steady increase in the number of children seeking to attend our preschool,” Ms Webber said.
“The children of Bingara have their very first educational experience in our preschool and this funding will ensure that it will be exceptional, not only for themselves, but for the staff and our entire extended preschool family.
“Having this additional space means potentially 13 extra local families will have the opportunity to send their children to preschool, giving them the best possible head-start on primary school.
“We are so excited that this is finally going to happen. As a small preschool it is difficult to fund large projects from community so this assistance will go a long way with our service.”