Berry Springs community calls on CLP to reinstate preschool program for three-year-olds Berry Springs community calls on CLP to reinstate 3yo preschool program

A popular preschool trial has been quietly scrapped by the CLP, leading to members of a rural community to fight for it to be reinstated.

Berry Springs was one of six schools in the three-year-old preschool program trial.

A popular preschool trial has been quietly scrapped by the CLP, leading to members of a rural community to fight for it to be reinstated.

Labor announced the $2.2m trial in 2021, offering government funded preschool to three-year-old children at six primary schools: Malak, Manunda Terrace, Ludmilla, Tennant Creek, Braitling and Berry Springs primary schools.

This move was in line with other jurisdictions, such as South Australia which hopes to have universal three-year-old preschool by 2032 and Victoria which begun rolling out its program in 2020.

Preschool is being expanded to three-year-olds in other states and territories. Picture: Supplied

But the CLP government has decided not to renew the program, leading members of the Berry Springs community to lobby in an effort for them to reconsider the decision.

Leila Bartolo is a local mother who has had one child go through the program and another due to start in 2025.

Ms Bartolo said the program was essential, not only for its positive educational and developmental outcomes, but for also allowing rural children and families to form crucial connections in a dispersed community.

Ms Bartolo is garnering community support to keep the program. Picture: Supplied

“The program has been instrumental in building a stronger, more connected community here in Berry Springs,” Ms Bartolo said.

“Beyond its educational value, it serves as a vital space where young children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in a nurturing environment.”

Ms Bartolo is so passionate about retaining the program that she set up a survey to gather other Berry Springs families thoughts on three-year-old preschool, receiving 42 responses.

“Many parents shared how it has positively impacted not only their children’s development but also their own sense of belonging and wellbeing,” she said.

Ms Bartolo said rural families valued the preschool program for helping to form stronger community connections. Picture: Tynan Bartolo

“The survey showed 22 three-year-olds would have enrolled in 2025 had it been available — so the numbers are definitely there.”

A CLP spokesperson said they made the decision after an evaluation report of the program “did not provide sufficient evidence about the benefits”.

A request by this masthead to view the report was ignored.

The spokesperson said the focus for future funding would remain on four-year-old preschool programs and families had the option of self-funding three-year-olds, but places for four-year-olds would be “prioritised”.

They advised families to look into early childhood education services in the surrounding area as an alternative option.

Shadow Education Minister Chansey Paech called the move “completely counter-productive” and said three-year-old preschool was “vitally important for a child’s development and future prospects”.

Labor defended its trial program, calling the CLP’s move to scrap the program “completely counter-productive”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Bartolo said local families were not just looking for care, they wanted education and connections.

“Unsurprisingly 53 per cent of respondents said they would not consider sending their child to another early learning or daycare type facility,” Ms Bartolo said.

“This program offered a structured, supportive learning environment that cannot easily be replaced.

“Most of all it helped parents and children who were once isolated find friendship and support.”

Originally published as Berry Springs community calls on CLP to reinstate preschool program for three-year-olds Berry Springs community calls on CLP to reinstate 3yo preschool program