But it may be too little, too late.

The cost of preschool in NSW is driving people away from the system and the Government doesn’t care, Children’s Choice’s Kerry Grigg said.

The group formed last year includes parents and teachers from nine Albury and district preschools trying to get a better government deal for their children.

“The latest figures show the participation rate for preschool children in NSW is almost half the national average,” Mrs Grigg said.

“This year it has slipped to 58 per cent, across the rest of Australia it is 96 per cent.

“The fallout is purely about affordability.

“We are being asked to pay about $2500 a year to send a child to preschool, about four times what it costs across the river in Victoria.”

And the mother of four said at best the April 24 meeting with the minister was a token gesture.

“We are extremely disappointed that it has taken so long for Ms Meagher to respond,” Mrs Grigg said.

“The participation rate alone should be an embarrassment to the State Government.

“Clearly we are off the political radar of the NSW Labor party.”

The Charles Sturt lecturer also is critical of a letter from NSW Premier Morris Iemma delivered earlier this year with a $50 cheque for each child.

“The letter was an insult to all parents,” Mrs Grigg said.

“If he truly understood our situation he would know what department handles preschooling.”

Instea d, he forwarded the letters to the Departments of Education and Training and for Aboriginal Affairs, she said.