NATIONALS TO GUARANTEE FUTURE OF PRESCHOOLS
Nationals To Guarantee Future Of Preschools
NATIONALS TO GUARANTEE FUTURE OF PRESCHOOLS
19 March 2003
Nationals' Member for Lismore, Thomas George, today welcomed the announcement
that a Liberal/National Government would guarantee the future of preschools by
injecting an additional $50 million over four years into community preschools.
Mr George said the Nationals would also transfer community preschools from the
responsibility of the crisis-ridden Department of Community Services (DOCS) to
the Department of Education.
"Eight hundred community-based preschools across the State will share in the
additional funding," Mr George said.
"I have been lobbying hard for this funding and have met with many local
pre-schools, including parents and directors who have highlighted to me just how
bad the situation is," Mr George said.
"This $50 million injection reflects the Nationals' commitment to early
childhood education. It is great news for pre-schools in the Lismore electorate.
"We believe that preschools offer an invaluable opportunity for children to
develop the skills needed in later life.
"Education is the key to every child's future. Under Sydney Labor, preschools
haven't received the attention they deserve.
"Eight years of Sydney Labor have seen the budgets of community-based preschools
often run into the red and some centres have been forced to close. We need to
turn around Sydney Labor's neglect and ensure vital educational opportunities
are not denied to our children."
Mr George said under a Liberal/National Government attendance at preschool would
remain optional but all preschools would come under the administration of the
Department of Education.
"The Nationals are committed to delivering a new and invigorated focus on
educational outcomes, to be achieved by removing preschools from the present
DOCS structure," Mr George said.
"I am also pleased a Coalition Government will establish a Ministerial Advisory
Committee, to report to the Minister for Education and comprising preschool
representatives and parents to develop an optional pre-school curriculum
ensuring best practice in early childhood education.
"This policy is a logical extension of the Coalition's commitment to lower class
sizes to an average of 21 students in Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2, down from
Labor's average of 26.
"I have no doubt the benefits of this policy will more than outweigh the costs,
not only for individuals and the whole of our local community, but also
Statewide.
"It has been found that for every $1 spent in the early years of a child's
development, the community saves $7 in other social services." (NSW Legislative
Council's Standing Committee on Social Issues, Inquiry into Early Intervention
for Children with Learning Difficulties, 2002, p.4).
"This commitment from the Nationals is of enormous importance to the future
generations of the Lismore electorate and across the State," Mr George said.