Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke visited Ariah Park Preschool today, to celebrate the wonderful news that the NSW Government will fund the construction of a brand new community preschool for the town.
Ariah Park recently received $657,801 under the Start Strong Capital Works Grants program, designed to increase the number of preschool places available in areas of need and demand.
Up to 19 services across NSW including Ariah Park Preschool Association Inc from Cootamundra will receive a share of funding through the $6 Million Start Strong Capital Works Grants program, giving more children opportunities to access early childhood education.
Ms Cooke said the new building on Harrison Street will help ensure more children receive higher quality early education in improved facilities.
“This beautiful preschool community have outgrown the hall, where they have been providing preschool to our youngsters for at least 35 years,” Ms Cooke said.
“The new preschool will allow more children to access a higher quality of early education. It’s a new age and such an exciting time for Ariah Park!”
Leanne Nixon, Ariah Park Preschool director, said the announcement was “overwhelming but exciting.”
“It means that our little village is growing and thriving, it will be there for the future and future families,” Ms Nixon said.
The designs have been completed and architects are now putting together the tender documents for the build.
This is the first round of funding for the Capital Works Grants program from the 2018/19 Budget announcement of $42.1 million. Centre-based and mobile community preschools in all areas of NSW were invited to submit applications for funding.
Applications for a further funding round under the Start Strong Capital Works Grants program are currently open, and will close August 4. More information including eligibility and application details are available at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs/capital-works-grants
