Inverell District Family Support Chief Executive Nicky Lavender, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Kindamindi Preschool Supervisor Jan Carr at the funding announcement.
Wednesday, 4 December 2019
THE sound of hammers and drills will be heard alongside the voices of children at Inverell’s Kindamindi Preschool next year with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall this week announcing a $297,873 State-Government grant to expand the early childhood learning centre.
Mr Marshall said the addition of a third learning space at Kindamindi was part of an effort to address a shortage in child care places in Inverell.
“Every parent of a young child knows one of the biggest struggles they face before going back to work is getting their new arrival into day-care,” Mr Marshall said.
“Kindamindi will use the $297,873 grant to turn current office space into an additional preschool room which will cater for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years.
“Currently there are nine staff caring for 60 children at Kindamindi however the additional room will create another three new educator positions which will all be filled by local teachers.
“Construction is set to begin in the New Year with the room expected to be completed and full of youngsters by the latter half of 2020.
“The State Government recognises country NSW’s biggest asset is its children, and young people and that’s why it is focussed on expanding existing centres, building new ones and making sure no one misses out on the best start to life.”
Mr Marshall said the additional places would particularly help aboriginal families and children who were at risk.
“Every day there are around 10 children waiting to access preschool services at Kindamindi alone,” he said.
“Kindamindi is working hard to try provide early childhood education for aboriginal children who are in the two years before school ensuring they start their learning journey with their best foot forward.
“Whether you are from Inverell or Sydney, every child deserves access to a top-quality early childhood education because we know how important the early years are for their social, cognitive and emotional development.”