Pre-schoolers in the Carinda area are reaping the benefits of a virtual distance education program model which combines online learning and face-to-face education, following in the footsteps of places like Hermidale and Louth.  

This is a giant step forward for children that often have less access to services that their city counterparts take for granted, and for many will be the first time they have had the chance to attend preschool in person.  

Instead of staying at home, enrolled children will be able to attend a space at Carinda Public School for up to three days a week (600 hours a year) to participate in both face-to-face play-based and online learning delivered by Dubbo School of Distance Education.  

The program is part of an initiative by the state education department and Deputy Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Lisa Alonso Love says this unique and flexible approach particularly supports children and families who can’t engage in traditional distance learning due to a lack of internet access, limited parental literacy or financial difficulties. 

“Just over one quarter of four and five-year-old pre-schoolers in NSW are from regional, remote and rural areas,” Ms Alonso Love said. 

“Vital programs like this will help stop the education divide between these children and their metropolitan counterparts and ensure they arrive at school equipped with the social, cognitive and emotional skills they need to engage in learning.” 

The flexible learning programs are part of the  Rural and Remote Education Strategy the Department of Education established to ensure that all children in rural and 

remote communities have access to quality early childhood education in the year before school. 

Hermidale, Ivanhoe, and Louth already operate satellite preschools, while the flexible program also funds a centre-based preschool in Pooncarie.  

“The provision of quality early childhood education is an integral component of providing equitable educational opportunities to children in regional and remote communities," said Hermidale Public School Principal, Skye Dedman. “We are fortunate to be able to be part of this fantastic initiative." 

Carinda parent Simone Lehnen, lives 50 kilometres from Carinda and has welcomed the new initiative with open arms. 

“My Husband and I were so excited to learn of the new program at Carinda Public School. Our daughter Montanah (10) already attends the school, and our little boy Liam (5) is still at home. The school has been amazing and has adapted the school Library to a room that will host the kids each Tuesday and Friday, with the hope of making it three days a week in the near future,” Mrs Lehnn said. 

“With Liam at home by himself, I felt he wasn’t learning as well as he could. He arrived home from his first day at Preschool so excited as he could write his name and had made new friends. We were so happy." 

Montanah, Liam and Stefen Lehnen at the bus stop. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

“The program is enabling Liam to interact and socialise with other kids while teaching him the formal ways of the school," she said.  

"Best of all it will be such a positive start to school for him next year as he heads into kindergarten because he will know his way around the school which will take away any anxiety he might have otherwise had. The teachers are amazing and do such a great job with the kids. There are always things for them to do and when you live in a remote area that’s important. We are so grateful for this program."  

Carinda's Relieving Principal, Jessica Dowling-Brown said the school is very excited to be a part of the Community Safety Net program under the Rural and Remote Education Strategy.  

“This program offers our children who are located in rural and remote areas the chance to access quality early education program, similar to that of their city counterparts, that they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so,” she said. 

Preschoolers will be able to share the space and facilities at Carinda Public School.

“The parents and staff see the program as extremely beneficial to the children as the program supports and promotes social development through play-based learning with peers of a similar age and school readiness. Many of these children otherwise would not have had the opportunity to access a physical preschool due to geographical isolation.” 

“The staff at Carinda Public School, work collaboratively with the experienced staff at the Dubbo School of Distance Education in delivering the wonderful distance learning program both face to face and through regular zoom lessons.” 

“It is a fantastic opportunity for all who are involved, and we hope to see the program continue into the future,” Ms. Dowling-Brown said.