Five Richmond Valley community preschools have won a combined $70,682 in NSW Government grants just in time for Christmas, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“We are providing up to $15,000 per preschool for improvements which range from new sports equipment to shade sails,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“A decade ago, community preschools were education’s poor and often neglected cousin, but the current NSW Government has changed all that because we understand that early childhood education is incredibly import for our kids’ future.”

The winners are Jumbunna Preschool Casino (shade sails); St Mary’s Preschool Casino (upgraded playground); Woodburn-Evans Head Preschool (bike/outdoor shed and gym equipment); Evans Head Preschool (fencing) and Coraki Preschool (physical learning environment upgrade).