From what Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Learning Jodie Harrison can gather, parents want free preschool to continue.
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Ms Harrison went to Braidwood Preschool on Wednesday, July 22 and Gumnut Preschool in Bowral on Thursday, July 23 to have a chat with teachers, educators and particularly the parents.
"I wanted to hear about their experience with preschool at the moment, especially with the COVID-19 economic downturn," Ms Harrison said.
"They have really welcomed the free preschool funding from the government for term two and term three and they want it to continue.
"They see we're not out of the woods yet by any means.
"They are really supportive of the opposition's call to have it extended to the end of term four at least."
At the moment, free preschool ends in September and if the push for an extension is unsuccessful, Ms Harrison said it would be "a big financial blow".
"Tens of thousands of people in NSW have already lost their jobs or had their hours and wages cut.
"They can't afford a hike in preschool fees."
A third of families said they would have to reduce the number of days their child was in childcare or remove their child altogether if the government's assistance ended.
Labor has warned that women will be the most heavily impacted by the government's decision to remove free childcare.
"When childcare becomes unaffordable the people who suffer most are women," Ms Harrison said.
"That's because women are more likely to pause their careers and work as the primary carer.
"Helping women who want to re-enter the workforce is about breaking down the barriers to employment.
"The single most effective way to do this is childcare."
When free preschool runs out in September, parents will have to begin repaying fees.
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