Jamberoo Preschool has sent out a plea to the local community, after an eighth flood at the facility has left the building “not fit for use,” according to the preschool’s Director, Belinda Hibbert. 

In a letter to parents whose children attend the service, Hibbert informed families that Kiama Council “cannot afford to fix the issues around the flooding” and, as a result, “it is unlikely that the lease will be renewed come 2028”. 

Currently, the centre, which leases a building on Allowrie Street from Kiama Council, has 67 families in their care and over 100 families on their waiting list. Jamberoo Preschool is a popular option for families in the area, with Kiama Preschool already inundated with applications.

“As a community-based, not-for-profit preschool, we are an extremely important service for the Jamberoo community and many families rely on us,” Hibbert told The Bugle. “To lose the preschool would be devastating.”

To address the problem, the preschool has put together a sub-committee who plan to apply for a grant from the Department of Education, which could cover the cost of building a preschool, but not purchasing land to build it upon. 

“We are reaching out to the community for support and help,” says Hibbert. “If you know of any locations or possible land that might be suitable for us, please reach out.”

Kiama Council has supported the centre’s flood-recovery, including undertaking a Flood Study in 2021, which recommended installing a ‘flood-proof barrier’ at the rear of the preschool. This work was not undertaken and funding was never made available.

A statement from Kiama Council on the situation at the Jamberoo Preschool reads: ‘Due to the repeated flooding of the premises, both parties have agreed this is not a viable long- or medium-term arrangement, and the Preschool is looking at options to relocate.

‘In the meantime, Council is committed to assisting where we can, providing staff to help clean-up after flooding incidents and helping the Preschool move into the Jamberoo School of Arts section of the premises if/when flooding is predicted or occurs, if that space is available.’

On 4th April, the NSW Government announced they would fast-track the largest expansion of preschools in the State’s history to deliver 100 preschools co-located with public primary schools by 2027. At this point, it is unclear whether this is an option for the preschool.

Whilst sorting through flood-damaged items, educators found a letter written by a child attending the service during a previous flood.

‘I remember being knee-deep in dirty water and being evacuated,’ wrote Pippi, who was five-years-old at the time. ‘It was scary and I didn’t know what would happen next. We were carried out across the water and into a waiting fire truck. I am really glad my sister wasn’t there that day.’

To support the preschool’s flood-recovery efforts, reach out via their Facebook page.