Community preschools across the Northern Rivers are bracing for a hit to their budgets, with two local MPs on opposite sides of the fight over the NSW Government’s new Universal Preschool Funding model.
Member for Clarence Richie Williamson says 20 community preschools across the Clarence and Richmond valleys face an uncertain future, and he wants the model urgently reviewed.
Mr Williamson said local providers had raised grave concerns about funding cuts that could threaten the viability of not-for-profit services, undermine educator pay, and put pressure on staffing levels.
“Evans Head and Woodburn preschools are projecting a base funding reduction of approximately $142,000 a year under the new model, with a further potential loss of up to $250,000 annually in Inclusion Support funding,” Mr Williamson said.
“Where are community preschools supposed to find these shortfalls when wages and operating costs are rising, and there is no transitional funding to help them adjust?”
The Director of Evans Head and Woodburn preschools, Cath Gillespie, said the changes risked undermining the quality and safety of early childhood education.
“Child safety must come first,” Ms Gillespie said.
“We deliberately invest in more educators than the minimum requirements because this means better supervision, stronger relationships and more individualised support for children.
“These are not extras – they are essential to quality early learning.”
Mr Williamson said the government’s answer did not stack up.
“The Minister’s suggestion that preschools can simply enrol more children to receive more funding ignores the reality that many services are already operating at their licensed capacity,” he said.
“More concerningly, this model risks financially pressuring services to reduce staffing, even when additional educators are essential for supervision, individual support and child safety.
“Minimum staffing ratios should be the baseline, not the standard services are forced to settle for.”
Ms Gillespie said children with additional needs stood to lose out.
“Inclusion is not an optional extra either,” she said.
“Children with additional needs deserve access to the support they need to participate fully in preschool.
“Without adequate, sustainable funding, services will struggle to meet those needs while retaining experienced educators and providing the quality programs our communities rely on.”
Mr Williamson is calling on Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car to consult with providers and review the model before it takes effect.
“Universal preschool should expand access and improve outcomes, not put existing services, jobs and places for children at risk,” he said.
Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has moved to reassure the sector she is on its side.
“I want to reassure the local community preschool sector that I am on their side,” Ms Saffin said.
Ms Saffin said there were 26 preschools across her electorate, and she had told the Education Minister of her support for them.
“Now that we have new funding package, I am happy to sit around the table with preschool representatives to discuss what they need to be viable and provide this essential service,” she said.
“I have an agreement with the Minister that we will work through how the funding model can be rolled out locally and what the impact is, to make sure it works.
“I will ask the minister to meet with representatives of my local preschools.”
Ms Saffin was unable to attend a preschool rally last week but sent a staff member, and took aim at the political candidates who did turn up.
“I would point out that those political candidates at the rally today are not in a position to help, but I am,” she said.
“Our community preschools matter, what they do is important and they work hard providing preschool services for children across our communities.”
Like what you’re reading? Support North Coast Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now