Minister for Early Childhood Education Leslie Williams and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis last month visited the Jacaranda Preschool Kindergarten at Grafton to see innovative teaching practice in action. Mrs Williams said the preschool had achieved a rating exceeding the National Quality Standard — a significant achievement for the service. “The … government recognises that quality early childhood education helps students achieve better results when they reach school,” Mrs Williams said. “Maintaining such a high standard of service delivery in early childhood education is no simple task. I commend the centre for its diligence and dedication to ensuring that children at their centre are receiving high quality care and education.” Mr Gulaptis said the kindergarten has received an additional $100,000 under the NSW Government’s preschool funding model, introduced at the beginning of 2014. “This is a huge increase for the service and I am proud that the NSW Government has been able to further support the amazing work the teachers do,” Mr Gulaptis said. “The teachers at Jacaranda Preschool instil a love of learning in children from a young age and they carry it with them through life.”