Tuesday,21 June 2022


Questions without notice and ministers statements

Panton Hill Preschool


Ms LOVELL, Ms STITT

Panton Hill Preschool

In terms of Panton Hill Preschool, I am obviously aware of these issues. The Department of Education and Training has been working closely with the shire council to identify options for management for the preschool from 2023. It is a small kindergarten, as you are aware. It has had viability concerns in the past, and the government took steps to make sure that the preschool was supported and was able to continue to operate. In terms of last year’s budget, we also included in last year’s budget $31.2 million to support all early years managers to improve viability, access and quality.

It is not an unusual circumstance, Ms Lovell, for some early years managers or individual kindergarten services or operators to divest or indicate their intention to divest of a particular service. I know that it is a much-loved local kindergarten, and I am committed to making sure that the department continues to work closely with the current operator, the local council and the preschool community to make sure that there is a solution found well ahead of next year’s kindergarten year.