Inverell District Family Services (IDFS) has secured two education grants to improve learning environments and relieve fees for drought-impacted families.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Through the NSW Department of Education, IDFS successfully applied for both Quality Learning Environments grants and Drought Support Funding totalling $135,268 with additional funds expected to be issued by mid-November.
Chief executive Nicky Lavender said the Quality Learning Environment program aimed to support eligible early childhood education services to improve their learning environments to positively impact experiences and outcomes for preschool aged children.
It will result in improvements to the physical learning environments of our services and additional educational programs and activities.
"The funding was secured by six services within IDFS and will allow us to undertake much needed improvements and minor capital works to our preschools and one of our long day centres.
"Along with these capital works we have several additional programs we are excited to implement. This includes and Art Therapy program at Gumflat Preschool.
"This program will be provided by local professional Denise Horwood from Family Life Counselling. We will also be extending our excursions in services to include more 'Out the Gate' experiences and yoga programs," she said.
The Drought Support Funding has been secured by five IDFS services and it's expected another three services will receive their funding in November.
This will result in a total of $129,800 in funding to be received for this program. A significant part of this funding will be allocated as fee relief for families impacted by the drought.
The balance of the funds will be allocated to environment improvements, packed lunch programs and water management equipment.
"The funding will allow us to support families during this extremely difficult time. We look forward to providing fee relief to our families without jeopardising the financial security of IDFS.
"It will also allow us to improve our service environments and look to drought proof our outdoor playgrounds. We are excited that the funding for drought this time has been extended to our long day care services as well as preschools."