The preschool plans to build a second room which would be able to accommodate an additional 20 children per day, making a total of 100 extra spaces a week, nearly doubling the number of children who can access early childhood education.

Service leader Megan Fleming said the preschool can currently take 29 children (aged three to five) a day, however there is a significant demand for more spaces.

“This year we have a new staff altogether and our numbers have raised very quickly,” she said.

“We now have people ringing up wanting spots – there are kids who come one day but they want three days - and we don’t have them.

“We can’t keep saying no to people.”

Ms Fleming said the staff and students were thrilled to find out they were successful in gaining the $455,000 grant, as part of the NSW Strong Start Capital Works Program.

The money will be used to construct a disabled access preschool room, separate from the main building, which will include a kitchen, storeroom, staffroom, office and laundry.

The expansion will also enable the preschool to hire a new early childhood teacher and another staff member, boosting local employment.

Ms Fleming said this expansion will be a big win for the community, with the preschool catering to a large Aboriginal population, as well as a number of children with disabilities.

They also have three buses drop children off from out of town each day.

“It’ll mean more children will be able to access early childhood education and that 600 hours that the government recommends before going to school,” she said.

“Early childhood education gives them a better start to life, and helps children develop social skills, fine motor and gross motor skills. It’s preparing them for life in general, not just school.”

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall visited Grace Lutheran Preschool to announce the funding last Friday.

“This grant is a great win for the Moree community – boosting learning outcomes, parenting options and employment for the town,” he said.

Mr Marshall said research had shown that access to early childhood education has an important role in improving learning outcomes for later schooling.

“Early childhood education provides all the tools for learning – teaching youngsters critical thinking skills, reasoning and social abilities, as well as getting them used to the challenges of school,” he said.

“These three to five year-olds will be the doctors, teachers, agronomists, teachers and politicians of the next generations and this funding is an investment in their future.”

Ms Fleming said it is hoped construction on the new building will began in March next year, with the aim to be operational by 2019.