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Care for Young Ones

The first five years in a child's development are often the most formative of their life, and a positive introduction to school can pave the way for a long and fulfilling education later in life.

Goonellabah Preschool offers a supportive and nurturing environment in these early years, which encourages children to develop self-confidence, respect for themselves and others as well as an awareness of their environment.

The preschool is a community based not-for-profit organisation that caters for three to five year-olds and is managed by a voluntary committee. The centre is licensed and funded by the Department of Community Services, as well as from fees paid by families using the service.

With play as the centre of their learning philosophy, Goonellabah Preschool encourages children to communicate their feelings, share ideas, respect cultural diversity and co-operate in making decisions.

Each child also has an Individual Education Program (IEP), which helps teachers develop a specific program to suit each child's particular interests and learning abilities. Parents are given regular updates from IEPs, and are welcome to have input into their child's IEP.

Through IEPs and other activities Goonellabah Preschool tries to develop partnerships with parents in the education and care for their children. The preschool offers special needs support to children and their families, and also have some indigenous workers to support indigenous children and their families.

"We have fantastic staff, and a warm and friendly community of parents who support the staff, and so the children have a great support network of people," authorised supervisor, Barbara Riordan, said.

Being situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in Goonellabah, the preschool has a shady and stimulating outdoor play area that encourages children's involvement and physical development, and is just a short distance from the local primary school many of the students will later attend.

Goonellabah Preschool operates five days a week from 9am to 3pm, with extended care hours from 8.30am to 4.15pm. As a preschool they have regular groups to assist in forming lasting friendships and social interactions, and while they do not have parent rosters the teaching team do encourage families to join in for activities, whether for 10 minutes or the entire day. For more information or enrolments visit Goonellabah Preschool, situated in Spring Avenue, Goonellabah, or phone 6624 1422.

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