NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's $789,000 for Bathurst region preschools | Video, photos, pictures

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian visited the city on Tuesday to make a string of funding announcements across a range of areas worth a total of $909,536.

Among the grants, was $754,768 for a new preschool to be constructed in Kelso and a further $35,014 for works projects for preschoolers across the electorate.

“We really wanted to show our support for preschools in the Bathurst community,” Ms Berejiklian said while visiting West Bathurst Preschool.

Among the planned works projects will be $11,263 for new furniture and equipment, including outdoor tables and cabinets, for the new preschool.

While $14,751 will go to West Bathurst Preschool to undertake safety and drainage maintenance in the outdoor playing area, and $9000 will be directed towards a new fence and outdoor area for Oberon Children’s Centre.

The new preschool will be constructed in Kelso and, once open, will replace Early Start Kelso Preschool and Family Centre.

“We know how important it is to support our young children into the future and what I love about our support for preschools is that it demonstrates the community’s growing and the future of this community is stronger than ever,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Not only will this funding improve the quality of learning for children in the Bathurst electorate, parents can also rest assured that their children are having the best start to their educational journeys as possible.”

She praised Bathurst MP Paul Toole for his “insistence and advocacy” on behalf of the growing Bathurst community and the need for further funds to be directed into childcare.

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“He realises, and has brought to my attention, how the community is growing and how we do need to invest in early childhood,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Mr Toole said the funds for a preschool and works projects would benefit young children in the electorate.

“This is so important that we continue to invest in early education and providing this support to youngsters in the area,” he said.

The new centre will be linked with West Bathurst Preschool, and director Vanessa Miller thanked the government for its support.

“It’s wonderful the commitment that they’ve put into children’s services,” Ms Miller said.

“We’ve got a large service here, but we also have another outreach service and this is what this money will do is to build them a venue.

“We’ve been renting a premise for nine years and we’ll actually be able to have our own venue and this is so exciting to be able to do that and I thank you.”

Ms Miller said the new centre would cater to 20 children and she was hopeful that it would be open and ready to accept new preschoolers by mid 2019.

Mr Toole said Kelso was a growing part of the Bathurst community and it was vital to ensure adequate services were available to families in that area.

In a separate funding announcement, Ms Berejiklian gave Glenray Industries a $10,000 boost to go towards the purchase of new equipment following a devastating blaze at the groups laundry site in May.

Along with Bathurst MP Paul Toole, they visited Glenray to meet staff and show their support.

“This funding will support Glenray Industries with the rebuild … so they can continue their vital work of assisting people with a disability in reaching their employment goals,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“These employees have been able to develop a range of working skills, received training and make meaningful social connections and I am proud to lead a NSW Government which is committed to promoting the importance of diverse inclusive workplaces”.

Ms Berejiklian will make further funding announcements for a number of Bathurst community groups on Wednesday as her visit continues.