MEDIA ALERT
- When Thursday 29 October 2026 – 8.45am for 9am start
- Where Outside office of Labor MP Clayton Barr, 118 Vincent Street, Cessnock
- What Rally and photo opportunity
- Who Preschool teachers, educators and supporters
New funding model means big cuts for community preschools
The union representing teachers and educators in early childhood education and care is deeply concerned that the NSW government’s new funding model for not-for-profit community preschools means big cuts that will impact the quality and safety of services and lead to job losses.
The NSW government’s Universal Preschool Funding program, released in October, promises millions of dollars in new funding for community preschools.
“But the devil is in the detail,” said Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews. “Many preschools anticipate losing hundreds of thousands of dollars under the new program.”
This is because funding guidelines are based on complex enrolment requirements, yet preschools have already settled enrolments for 2027. Many are not licensed to enrol more children.
Based on the NSW government’s funding estimate tool, IEU members anticipate big cuts:
- Muswellbrook Preschool will lose $187,000;
- East Maitland Preschool (Brunswick St) will lose $53,075;
- East Maitland Preschool (George St) will lose $15,742.
Elsewhere, Byron Bay Preschool estimates it will lose $284,000; Cronulla Preschool will lose $201,000; and Toormina Community Preschool will lose $174,000.
Read the full release below.
