After a difficult year, Lismore Preschool is set for an upgrade and a brighter future thanks to funding from a Government grant.

The preschool is one of the early childhood services in NSW affected by the challenges of 2020. Now, it’s set to will benefit from early payments from the NSW Government’s Quality Learning Environments program.

Not-for-profit community and mobile preschools, and not-for-profit long day care services are recipients of funding. 

Lismore Preschool will receive $14,895 to upgrade infrastructure, purchase outdoor furniture and organise classes with the Lismore Music Conservatorium.

Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the Quality Learning Environments program helps to support the delivery of quality early childhood education for children across NSW.

“Early learning services play a critical role in supporting children and families, and this year, our community has faced huge challenges,” Mr Franklin said.

“I’m thrilled that Lismore Preschool, as well as Ocean Shores Preschool are each receiving nearly $15,000 – this will make a massive difference to the services both preschools can provide.

“Funding is being made available to support the wonderful work of these services and ensure they can continue. Ocean Shores Preschool will receive $14,950 to replace their external boundary fence.”

“The NSW Government is committed to strengthening education for early learners, and we are showing this support by making these payments early to services who need them,” Mr Franklin said.

The Quality Learning Environments program provides grants of up to $15,000 to eligible early childhood services to purchase resources and activities which improve physical or educational learning environments.

Early payment is being made available to those services that have indicated an urgent need for funding. This may include quality improvement initiatives to meet the needs of services impacted by bushfire and recent severe weather events or other emergency situations such as COVID-19.

Further grant applications not requiring early payment will be progressed in December 2020.

For more information on the 2020 Quality Learning Environments program, visit the Department of Education website.