Shadow Minister for Community Services Gladys Berejiklian said preschools from around NSW had contacted her in the last month upset the State Government had failed to properly distribute promised emergency funding.
“The State Government has demonstrated its lack of commitment to preschools by failing to properly distribute emergency funding, which was supposed to assist hundreds of community based preschools around the state desperate to make their services more affordable,” Ms Berejiklian said.
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“The Iemma Government has not even notified many preschools this emergency funding was available or who they should contact to apply," she said.
“Even when some preschools did apply, there was no reason given as to why some were completely overlooked while others who were provided assistance were forced to spend it on compliance issues rather than address the issue of affordability.
“This funding fiasco comes on top of the Premier’s pathetic budget funding of just $8 million for preschools.
"It's an insult to hardworking families when you consider Labor can find $8 million for water, train, and business advertising propaganda yet preschools miss out.
"The Government’s promise is woefully inadequate when compared with the Liberal/Nationals $362 million four-year commitment.
"Nothing is more important than investing in our children and the Labor Government is failing to take that responsibility seriously.
"This important area of policy provides a clear differentiation between the Liberal/Nationals and the Labor Party – a Coalition prepared to invest in the kids or a tired Labor Government that continues to neglect and ignore this vital area of education.
"Preschools in NSW are near crisis point with less than 60% of children attending preschools immediately prior to starting primary school. In other states this figure is around 90%.
"The lack of funding for the sector has meant the cost of sending a child to preschool in NSW is out of reach.
"Fees for NSW preschools average at least $30 a day – around four to five times higher than in other states.
"Studies show for every dollar invested in the early years of a child's development, it saves the community $7 in other social services.
"The Liberal/Nationals policy will boost affordability and access to NSW preschools through:
• $217 million for preschools now funded through the Department of Community Services (DoCS). This will be in addition to existing funding and will provide a much-needed funding boost to around 800 preschools and help put downward pressure on fees for parents.
• $115 million to enable more 4-year olds to attend preschool at least 2 days a week. This will raise participation of NSW 4-year olds to nearer the 95% rate of other states. Communities of greatest need will be the first to receive the extension of access.
• $30 million to upgrade preschool facilities in NSW with funds to be distributed in consultation with the preschool sector.
• Transfer of responsibility for NSW preschools from the Department of Community Services to the education portfolio.
"The Government must explain why it completely dropped the ball in relation to this emergency funding and Premier Iemma should immediately adopt the Liberal/Nationals preschools policy in full," Ms Berejiklian said.
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