POETS CORNER PRESCHOOL GETS NEW PLACES AND MORE SUPPORT

Today (June 9) I joined Minister for Community Services, Reba Meagher, at Poets Corner Preschool in Redfern, which will receive $110,000 in immediate funding under the package.

The NSW Governments $85.2 million investment will create preschool places for an additional 10,500 children, Ms Meagher said.

This is the biggest investment in community based preschools in over 20 years.

Around $8 million will be made available to around 300 preschools across the State by the end of this month - helping services which are under immediate financial pressure.

I welcome the local funding boost and the NSW Governments long term investment in community based preschools, having previously kick-started a community campaign for more funding to preschools like Poets Corner.

Preschool provides young children with a positive start to their education which research shows can have long-term benefits.

I am delighted the NSW Government has listened to our community campaign - recognising the value of preschool and making this important investment.

Information on the Preschool Investment Strategy can be found at www.community.nsw.gov.au