A community childcare centre lost in NSW’s devastating 2022 floods has had its permanent future secured with the NSW Government announcing capital works funding for Eugowra Community Childcare Centre.

This announcement comes following Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib and Member for Orange Phil Donato officially opening temporary facilities at the Eugowra Showground last month.

While on the ground in Eugwora, the Premier gave a commitment the NSW Government would continue to support the local community.

The establishment of a permanent childcare facility for Eugowra is made possible as a result of the NSW Government’s $17 million investment in early education capital works.

Under this funding hundreds of families across Regional NSW and south west Sydney are set to benefit as the government prioritises investment to meet growing demand for early childhood services in areas of greatest need.

The Capital Works Grants Program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensure that all children in NSW can access quality early education in the year before school, regardless of their family’s postcode, income or circumstances.

All early childhood providers set to benefit from this funding:

• Eugowra Community Childcare Centre Incorporated
  
• Lightning Ridge Preschool Centre Inc
  
• Cowra Early Childhood Services Co-operative Ltd
  
• Bangalow Community Children’s Centre
  
• Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Aboriginal Corporation, Nowra
  
• Yalbillinga Boori Day Care Centre Aboriginal Corp, Cowra
  
• Hamilton Child Care Centre Inc, Hamilton
  
• Integricare, Sadleir
  

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Equitable access to quality early childhood education and care is important for young families, whether they live in regional NSW or South West Sydney.

“Ensuring access to early education is key to supporting Eugowra families as the community recovers from disaster”

“I’d also like to acknowledge the work of the local member Phil Donato in advocating for support for his community.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“I am glad that the government is now guaranteeing the funds for a permanent preschool and the community can now work towards building back better from the devastating 2022 floods.”

“The community deserves full credit in helping push for this funding to ensure families in Eugowra will not miss out on crucial early learning.”