Parkes' first preschool centre is celebrating 70 years this November - and what an incredible place it is.
Parkes Early Childhood Centre was built entirely by volunteer labour, opening in 1954 debt free as a two unit preschool.
NSW Premier J.J Cahill did the honours of officially opening the centre on November 6, as the Parkes Preschool Kindergarten.
Records show it opened with 60 children enrolled, with a fee of seven shillings and sixpence per week for children to attend two half days a week, The Parkes Champion Post reported in 2014, with children from out-of-town attending one half day per week for four shillings and six pence.
1994 saw the preschool merged with the local occasional childcare centre in response to the changing needs of families, and additional long day care places were included in the new service.
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This was made possible as the Parkes community participated in a pilot project and partnership between the State and Federal Governments.
The change came with extensive renovations and expansion of the existing building and the service became known as Parkes Early Childhood Centre Inc.
The new expanded centre opened on November 7, 1994, as a rural multi-purpose centre with both State and Federal funding providing preschool, occasional care and long day care.
To celebrate 70 years of PECC this year Parkes Shire councillors were treated to a tour of the centre by director Miss Amii Marchant and board members and families were invited for a celebratory morning team.
PECC welcomes children from six weeks to five years and is open 50 weeks per year.
The Parkes Early Childhood Centre community honour the continuation of this rich history and are dedicated to ensuring a strong commitment to high quality education and care for the children of Parkes well into the future.
