MEDIA ALERT
- When Friday 6 November 2026 – 8.45am for 9am start
- Where Outside office of Labor MP Liza Butler, 1/57 Plunkett Street, Nowra
- 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, our members anticipate big cuts:
- Shoalhaven Community Preschool in Nowra estimates it will lose $290,000;
- Lyrebird Preschool in Nowra will lose $135,000;
- Kiama Preschool will lose $197,000;
- Berry Community Preschool will lose $158,000;
- Jamberoo Community Preschool will lose $91,000;
- Milton Ulladulla Preschool will lose $20,000.
IEU members from community preschools have already rallied outside NSW MPs’ offices in Western Sydney, Cessnock and Lismore to call on the NSW government to fix its funding program. On 13 November, IEU members and supporters will protest outside the Queanbeyan office of Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister Steve Whan.
Read the full release below.
