EarlyStart Logo

In 2008 West Bathurst Preschool became aware of a growing number of local children and families who were unable to access quality early childhood programs due to economic and social reasons.

West Bathurst Preschool set about to establish EarlyStart Kelso Preschool, a new licensed preschool service operating 2 days per week in the suburb of Kelso.

The primary objectives of EarlyStart Kelso Preschool are:

  • To provide access to a high quality preschool program to children in disadvantaged circumstances, recognising that early intervention can provide long term benefits to educational and social outcomes.
  • To facilitate access to appropriate health and community services.
  • To enhance community connections in order to provide a sense of empowerment, belonging and social cohesion.
  • To provide a link between the home and school environment, so that children are better prepared and more easily able to make a successful transition to formal schooling.

Children enter this program by referral from a large range of community agencies, which include Brighter Futures, Community Health, Housing NSW, Family Support, and Women’s Refuge etc.

The program is low cost and accessible, with a transport service available for those families that require this support. West Bathurst Preschool is responsible for staffing the service, which include a four year trained teacher, a diploma trained educator and two Certificate lll educators..