Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke visited Gundagai Preschool Kindergarten today, to celebrate the wonderful news that the NSW Government will fund the construction of a brand new preschool.
Gundagai Preschool Kindergarten has received $1.5 million funding under the Start Strong Capital Works Grants program, designed to increase the number of preschool places available in areas of need and demand.
This is in addition to $510,000 delivered in 2018 under the Stronger Communities Fund, bringing the total project build to over $2 million.
Ms Cooke said the funding announcement is incredibly exciting for the community, and the new building will help ensure more children receive a quality education in improved facilities.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be here today celebrating this wonderful milestone with the community,” Ms Cooke said.
“The new state-of-the-art facility will be such an incredible asset to Gundagai, and I commend the NSW Government for supporting our regional communities to deliver childcare services that will help our littlest learners.”
Ms Cooke said the $1.5 million funding will also provide a boost to the local economy.
“During times when everyone is feeling the effects of the drought, it is fantastic to be able to receive these wins and this funding will bring work to the area through the build,” Ms Cooke added.
Gundagai Preschool Kindergarten Director Stacey Smith she was “over the moon” to receive news of the announcement.
“I’m so excited because this will mean all children in our community will have access to a quality preschool building, and that is so vital,” Mrs Smith said.
“We will also be able to offer preschool education to children aged 3 – 6 years, and parents will have more choice of days.
“In addition to this, the new preschool will provide a number of economic benefits in that we will be able to employ more staff.”
A total of $2.44 million has been allocated to preschools in the Cootamundra electorate under this round of the Start Strong Capital Works Grants program, with a total of $8.3 million allocated across NSW.
NSW Government support for preschools across the Cootamundra electorate has been significant including $330,000 funding under Round 1 & 2 of the Drought Support
Package and a large number of preschools receiving grants of up to $10,000 under numerous rounds of the Quality Learning Environment grants.
For more information, visit education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs/capital-works-grants
