The NSW Government has promised community preschools will not face funding cuts over the next two years, but the union and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin say there is more work to do.
The union representing teachers and educators in early childhood education and care in NSW and the ACT has welcomed the promise.
“We welcome today’s announcement that community preschools will not face funding cuts in 2027 or 2028 that would have impacted the viability of their services,” said Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews.
The promise follows a state-wide campaign by union members over the new funding model. The Universal Preschool Funding program was released in October.
Ms Matthews said many community preschools may need extra funding for wage increases owed to their staff, as well as other cost increases.
“We understand the government is prepared to provide additional assistance for those services that need it to provide pay rises to their staff, and we look forward to further details,” she said.
Ms Matthews said the NSW Government must sit down with the union and employers to review its new funding model, to make sure it guarantees fair wages and secure jobs in community preschools.
Ms Saffin has also welcomed the Minns Labor Government’s funding guarantee for all community and mobile preschools.
“I note that Community Early Learning Australia has described the Government’s Community Preschool Funding Guarantee as the first step in providing certainty that no service will go backwards, and that is my commitment to our local community preschools,” Ms Saffin said.
“I have been strongly advocating for our local community preschools but there is more work to be done.”
“I have an agreement with Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car that we will work through the new funding model to make sure it works for our local community preschools and the local communities they serve.”
Ms Saffin has pledged to keep supporting the community preschool sector and the union as they work through their concerns. She also acknowledged the awareness campaign by the Northern Rivers Preschool Alliance, including a recent protest outside her Electorate Office, which has drawn public attention to the need to get policy settings right.
“I have backed our community preschools since the early days when they were setting up,” Ms Saffin said. “I know what their concerns are and I am on their side.”
The union acknowledged the NSW Government’s commitment to work in good faith to address concerns about the new Universal Preschool Funding guidelines.
“The NSW government’s announcement of additional public long day centres will not result in more childcare places if the state’s community preschools are still at risk,” Ms Matthews said.
“The NSW government must act to ensure its new program delivers real funding increases for community preschools that ensure job security and continuity of high-quality services.”
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