THE Gwydir Mobile Children’s Service (GMCS) is holding a pre-school day at Gurley on Tuesday.
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The day is being hosted as a trial with the possibility of expanding the service.
The GMCS provides early childhood education to children isolated by distance, small numbers and bad roads.
The pre-school caters for children aged three to five years and playgroup for children aged zero to five.
Based in Moree, GMCS has been operating services at Bellata, Garah, Boomi, Croppa Creek, Mallawa, Bullarah and Pallamallawa for 40 years.
Director, Wendy Baldwin, says it is a great opportunity for parents and young children to meet each other and network.
“It allows isolated parents to interact with their children and to meet and talk while their children have access to quality activities in a safe environment,” Mrs Baldwin said.
“Parents are not required to stay for the whole day, but they must stay with their child for their duration at the playgroup.”
GCMS is dedicated to supporting isolated, rural and remote children and their families.
“We believe that all children and their families have a right to access good quality, affordable child care,” Mrs Baldwin said.
“It is good for parents to come and discuss any issues they have about their child, and also feel relieved that their child is normal, and they are not the only one who misbehaves.
“We have highly trained staff and parents can confide in us and know that we have seen it all before.
“We are not locals so we can listen and offer advice and not pass judgement.
“Benefits of the program are that we can look at a child and see if they have any problems with reading or writing and address it before it becomes a bigger issue.
“It is easier to address these issues at three-years-old compared to seven.”
The GCMS is looking to expand and has submitted paperwork to the government for a review.
“Having these playgroup days are to help local families but also see if there is a stronger need to expand our services,” Mrs Baldwin said.
The Gurley event will be hosted at the Rural Fire Service hall between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
Parents are to take water, fruit, cheese, yoghurt, a healthy lunch (no nuts) and spare clothes.
The GCMS is happy to talk to parents with questions and hope to hold more pre-school days throughout the district.
If anyone is interested in this service but are unable to attend, you can contact Wendy via email on wendy@gwydirmobile.com.au