NSW Nationals: Nats’ boost for Upper Hunter preschool places

Families in Denman and district are set to benefit from extra preschool places as part of the NSW Nationals in the state government’s $15.5 million investment through the Start Strong Capital Works program.

Denman Children’s Centre is one of 18 services across NSW that will get a share of the funding through the latest round of grants to increase the number of preschool places on offer across the state.

It will benefit from over $540,000 worth of upgrades to the centre which will allow the community based not for profit service to provide an additional 25 places.

Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said this program addresses demand for community preschools, giving more NSW children the best possible start in life.

“This funding is so important for our families, we know the importance of accessible early education and these grants aim to increase this,” Mr Layzell said.

“This is a great opportunity for the Denman area to access early childhood education and I look forward to the service benefitting from the Start Strong Capital Works grants.”

Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this round of Start Strong Capital Works grants will create up to 600 additional community preschool places for children to attend at least two days per week across the state.

“We want every child in NSW to have access to a quality preschool education, no matter their background or location,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This funding will support successful services with improvements, including new builds, extensions and renovations and will also support the maintenance of preschool operations where there is an urgent need for capital works.”

Since 2018, the NSW Government has provided more than $62 million to deliver additional community preschool places in areas of greatest need and demand.

This is in addition to the $15.9 billion investment in the Early Years Commitment announced by the NSW Government as part of the 2022-23 budget to boost access and affordability to early childhood education and care services.