A new early childhood education and care service has officially opened in Bathurst, aimed at supporting children and families in the Central West region. The EarlyStart Family and Children Centre, launched on November 29, comes in response to growing demand for affordable, specialised early education services in the area.
The NSW Government contributed $874,117 to the development of the state-of-the-art facility, which will provide low-cost preschool education for children aged 3 to 5. The centre is particularly focused on helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds, with nearly half of the children enrolled coming from low-income families.
Vanessa Miller, supervisor of the EarlyStart Children and Family Centre, explained that the service would offer crucial support for vulnerable children. “We have a long waitlist, especially for those needing extra help, because there aren’t many services like ours,” she said. “We plan to introduce allied health services and collaborate with support agencies to assist families further.”
The new facility includes a modern preschool building, administrative offices, a kitchen, staff room, playground, and car park. With 20 licensed places available daily, the centre will be able to provide early education and care for up to 40 children each week.
Located on the West Bathurst Campus of Charles Sturt University, the centre is operated by West Bathurst Preschool.
Peter Harvey, Director of Early Childhood Outcomes at the Department of Education, attended the opening and highlighted the importance of the centre for the local community. “Accessing early childhood education can be especially difficult in regional areas, and families in Bathurst have faced long waitlists due to high demand,” Harvey said. “This new centre will help meet that need, providing essential services to support the growing population in the region.”
Research shows that play-based early learning is crucial for young children’s development, helping them build social skills, independence, and prepare for school. According to studies, 90% of a child’s brain development occurs by age five, and participation in quality preschool programs significantly enhances a child’s readiness for school.
The EarlyStart Children and Family Centre was funded through the Department of Education’s Start Strong Capital Works Program.
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