Gunnedah Preschool and Gunnedah Baptist Community Preschool are among 17 pre-schools in the Tamworth electorates set to share in $255,900 in funds, which have been allocated based on enrolment numbers, location and the level of drought intensity.

Baptist Community Preschool director Julie Frend said the $25,000 the pre-school would receive was an “amazing windfall and totally unexpected”.

“At a time when a lot of families are feeling the pressure directly or indirectly from the drought, it’s wonderful to have this drought relief funding available,” Mrs Frend said.

“It shows that the government is thinking about farming families in this situation. Drought not only impacts farmers but townships and [funding] helps to keep country areas vibrant.”

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Mrs Frend said the funds would be used to encourage more families to utilise the pre-school and would also provide a “buffer” of funding for the pre-school.

Gunnedah Preschool’s administration manager Tabatha Smith said it was “amazing” to find out they would receive $$20,400.

“We actually received a phone call from Kevin Anderson himself today,” she said on Wednesday.

“It gave us goosebumps actually to know how special we are.”

The pre-school has been fundraising for a bus for some time and Ms Smith said the new funds might be used towards it. The pre-school is currently borrowing GS Kidd Memorial School’s mini-bus to do pick-ups and drop-offs.

“A bus will help our children to be able to attend pre-school,” Ms Smith said.

“That’s something we can really use.”

The pre-school has raised almost $20,000 but will need a lot more to reach their goal. A shed will also need to be constructed to house the bus, and car seats purchased. The pre-school will continue its fundraising during the CMCA National Rally in October and the energy, innovation and mining expo (eIMEx) in November.