Moama Preschool officially opens

Published on 20 June 2024

Moama’s new $5.9 million preschool was officially opened today by NSW Senator Deborah O’Neill, Duty Senator for Farrer.

The new preschool compliments the growing Moama Education Precinct and has been constructed as a purpose-built early education centre to service Moama and surrounds.

Construction included four adaptive learning rooms, two separate playgrounds, carpark, a staff room, offices, bathroom, and meeting room. 

While the facility has been operational since the start of the school year, the site was officially opened on Thursday 20 June, with the Moama and District Preschool Committee, Preschool Staff and Murray River Council also in attendance.

Mayor Cr Frank Crawley said the official opening marks an exciting time for the Moama community, who had been eagerly awaiting the completion of the new building for some years.

“We are thrilled that this important project is now finalised, enabling the Moama Preschool to provide quality educational services to so many more families.”

“It’s been great to work alongside the preschool committee to keep this project ticking along and even better to celebrate with them at the official opening where we can come together and acknowledge everyone’s efforts.”

The relocation and development of a new Moama Preschool building became a priority several years ago to ensure continued, expanded and improved early childhood learning opportunities for the growing population.

The project gained full momentum when the former preschool, located at Regent Street Moama, was operating at capacity with an expanding waiting list.

Both levels of government committed funds to the project in late 2021, with the Australian Government committing $2.9 million and the State Government awarding $1.5 million under their 2020 Start Strong Capital Works Program

Murray River Council also committed $1.5 million to the project.

“Both levels of Government have been great supporters of many of our community-driven initiatives, so it’s fantastic that they have backed a project like this that will benefit our littlest learners,” Cr Crawley said.

The new building has enabled Moama Preschool to double the number of enrolments.

“The new preschool is an incredible asset to the town, adding to the consolidation of the area as an education precinct that will service the growing residential development in Moama,” Cr Crawley added.

Quotes attributable to Senator Deborah O’Neill:

“The Australian Government is proud to have supported the development of a new preschool in Moama, this will provide immense benefits to the young families in the community and contribute to the social infrastructure of the area.”

"As a former teacher, I know the transformative influence that quality early childhood education can have on the community, and I know that with proper support and funding they can help create a stronger regional community for the future.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Early Learning, Prue Car:

Deputy Premier and Minister for Early Learning, Prue Car welcomed the opening of the new-look and expanded Moama preschool. 

“It is wonderful to see young families in the Murray will have access to a new preschool, providing our youngest learners with access to early education and care, and providing a boost to working parents. 

“We know that access to structured, play-based learning in the years before starting school sets children up for success and prepares them to transition into the first years of school.”