Northern Rivers preschool staff and families are being urged to rally outside Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s office amid concerns that new state funding rules could threaten community preschool services.
The Independent Education Union’s NSW/ACT branch has called the rally for Thursday, October 29, from 9am to 9.30am, outside 55 Carrington Street.
It is asking nearby preschools, particularly those within the electorate, to close during the rally so staff, families and management committees can attend. Services unable to close are being encouraged to send representatives.
The union says the new Universal Preschool Funding model could leave some services with significant funding reductions, putting staffing, wages and their viability under pressure.
‘Every service represented will strengthen our message that this is not an isolated problem, but one affecting community preschools across NSW,’ its rally announcement states.
The protest follows the release of the NSW government’s funding guidelines on October 19.
The government says the program, which replaces Start Strong for Community Preschools in 2027, will fully fund places for three-year-olds and create capacity for more than 10,000 additional children.
The guidelines also require participating services to meet higher minimum pay rates for teachers and educators.
‘Every child deserves access to safe, high-quality early learning,’ Education Minister Prue Car said.
The guidelines provide a one-off transition payment for eligible services whose calculated funding falls compared with 2026. The payment will cover a proportion of the difference, subject to eligibility and changes in service operations.
Community preschool staff and supporters also rallied in Lismore in May, seeking increased funding to support fair pay. The October protest is one of three rallies planned across NSW.
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