Up to 100 additional children will now be able to access early childhood education in Moree, with the opening of Grace Lutheran Pre-School's new building on Friday.
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The new building, which features an open-plan preschool room with brand new furniture and toys as well as kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, will allow the preschool to take an additional 20 children every day.
"It's going to make a huge difference," Grace Lutheran Pre-School service leader Megan Fleming said.
"It means no child is going to get left behind.
"Every child is entitled to early childhood education; it's some of the most important years of their life and we can provide that.
"Children come first in our eyes, so we've created that opportunity to get everyone into preschool to get the best start to life."
The new building has been a long time coming and after years of hard work, Ms Fleming was thrilled to finally be able to officially open the building to the public on Friday.
"It's exciting, very exciting to have it all opened and everything finished so we can get back into our routine and get our kids in," she said.
About 60 people attended Friday's opening, including Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District Assistant Bishop Mark Vainikka, Queensland Lutheran Early Childhood Services (QLECS) CEO Lyndal Mayer and children's services manager Maryann Sword, Moree mayor Katrina Humphries, Grace Lutheran Church Moree members, staff, children and their families.
Assistant Bishop Mark Vainikka blessed the building and officially opened it, before laying down the plaque with Grace Lutheran Church Moree's John Williams.
"This is a celebration because this building speaks of growth, it speaks of future and it speaks of hope," Assistant Bishop Vainikka said during the opening.
Mr Williams recalled speaking at the opening of the original preschool building.
"The preschool has been a part of our congregation for a long time," he said.
"The original one was built because we had a large congregation and it was a necessity for Sunday school rooms. But we thought it was a waste to just use it for Sunday school rooms, and that's how the preschool came about.
"It's been such a good organisation, especially now with the staff we've got at the moment. I believe they're doing a fantastic job. Megan and her team are doing a great job and I know they'll be able to do an even better job now with this new room."
Following the official part of the day, which included the building's opening, plaque-laying and cake-cutting, guests had the opportunity to take a look inside the new building for the first time.
It was the first time any of the preschool students had seen inside, and Ms Fleming said the response was fantastic.
The children had a great time playing with the new toys in the morning, with many not wanting to leave. There were in fact a number of tears when they had to go.
The parents were also impressed.
"It's amazing," one mum Lisa Brown said.
"We're really excited about using that space. It's light and welcoming."
Unfortunately the laying of new turf in the playground was delayed due to the rain, so that will now be done on Saturday and next week the blinds for the new building will be installed.
After that, the building just needs to get a final tick of approval from the NSW Department of Education before students can start using it.
Ms Fleming said they should be in the new building in the next three weeks. In the meantime, all students will be in the original room.
