An announcement was made last week by the NSW Government that all preschools in the Orange electorate will be receiving a 2.5 per cent increase in funding in 2016, with some eligible for bonus payments of up to 5 per cent.
“We all know the difference that quality childhood education makes to our kids’ start at school,” said Member for Orange Andrew Gee.
“All preschools will receive an increase in their base rate of funding…which will help them keep pace with the cost of providing an early childhood service,” Mr Gee said. Canowindra Preschool is cautiously awaiting further information on the implications that changes to the Preschool Funding Model will have.
“Small funding increases have been provided only for 4-5 year olds, and only for rural and remote areas, a funding category which Canowindra Preschool is no longer eligible for, due to the last restructure of the NSW Government Preschool Funding Model,” said Canowindra Preschool President Mandy Townsend.
Mandy believes that for Canowindra Preschool to maintain its viability, a series of issues need to be addressed, including making funding available to 3 year olds as per the previous funding model to ensure quality early education and maintaining preschool funding so that all families can afford a preschool education for their children.