Funding for new Bourke Preschool

With love from Bourke - Deputy Premier Paul Toole at the Bourke Preschool on Friday with Elsie Lovett and Nationals candidate for Barwon, Annette Turner. Photo TWH

The Bourke and District Children’s Service (BDCS) will receive $4.8 million in funding for a new facility, but it may not be enough.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, made the announcement during his visit to Bourke last Friday and said the funding would see a new preschool facility built which would accommodate the increasing needs of young families in the Shire.

“As a former primary school teacher, I know the importance of early education,” Mr Toole said. “Good early education means when children transition to primary school they get the best possible start.”

“The former preschool is no longer operational, and we’ve listened to the community, today putting $4.8 million on the table to help build a new one.

“We know more is needed, which is why I call on Federal Labor to do the same so that we can deliver this game-changing project – because the NSW Nationals want every child in NSW to have access to a quality preschool education, no matter where they live.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said the NSW government understands the important role early childhood services plays, and the Start Strong Capital Works crisis fund exists to respond flexibly as crisis situations arise across NSW.

“The fund ensures early childhood places are maintained and children have continued access to a preschool education in NSW,” Mrs Mitchell said.

“This funding is a major step forward in delivering a new early learning facility in Bourke, and we will work with the service to ensure a new facility can be built.”

Nationals’ candidate for Barwon, Anette Turner, joined Mr Toole during his tour and said she was excited about the potential the trial would offer and was looking forward to working with the community, teachers, and parents.

“It’s so important for everyone and gives equal opportunity to children when they go to primary school,” she said.

The announcement is a welcome relief to the BDCS, which has battled staff shortages and the recent loss of the childcare building after storms damaged the roof and interior of the Oxley Street site.

Since then, the childcare services have had to be located at the Preschool near the golf course.

The ceiling of the childcare building on the northern verandah collapsed, following the long stretch of heavy rain, with mould then making the interior unusable.

Repairs cost were estimated at between $150,000 to $300,000 but alternative accommodation had to be found to continue providing childcare in Bourke.

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