Twelve preschools in the Orange electorate will be receiving upgrades, thanks to a NSW Nationals initiative aiming to improve the environment of preschool services.
A total of $127,000 has been invested in community preschools in the Orange electorate, as part of the NSW Nationals Government’s Quality Learning Environments program, which will fund improvements to preschool grounds and buildings, as well as specialised educational programs for children.
Canowindra Pre-School will receive $15,000 to go towards redoing the outdoor timber stage in the playground and Cudal Community Children’s Centre will receive $13,000 for a bush tucker garden and an aboriginal cultural programme.
Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said these grants have eased some of the pressure off preschools in ensuring children are getting access to top quality early childhood education.
“As a mother myself, I know that often preschools have to rely on fundraising efforts to ensure their service is up-to-scratch physically, and to deliver programs that are more niche,” Ms Mitchell said.
Canowindra Pre-School has been a building hub over the past 12 months after the service was awarded over $240,000 in 2017 to renovate the existing Gumnut room, staff room and storage area and also build a stand-alone administration building and multi-purpose meeting room for community use.
The new building is in the final stages and will be ready to be moved into shortly. Canowindra Pre-School offers quality early education for 3-5 year olds and operates 5 days a week. The service also offers Outside School Hours Care Monday-Thursday from 3-6pm. School children can catch the bus from school around to OSHC at the Pre-School. For more information on enrolling your child please call the Pre-School on 6344 1261.