Around 45 pre-schoolers and their families have been left in limbo following the decision by Defence to “discontinue funding the service” when the current lease ends in December 2018.

The directive from Defence, which was delivered to parents and staff last Thursday, has devastated the tight pre-school community, while strengthening their resolve to find a lifeline in time for the 2019 school year.

Pre-school director for the past 15 years, Michelle Curtin, while bemoaning the timing of the announcement, was optimistic a new site would be found.

“Defence are not going to tell me whether or not I can operate a pre-school. We will do whatever it takes to find a new home for these families and continue to operate in this locality,” Ms Curtin said.

Staff and parents received notification from Defence in a letter which stated that a recent independent review had shown a significant increase in community-owned childcare and preschool services in the Newcastle and Williamtown area, including more than 350 childcare and 400 preschool places available.

The letter stated that given the figures, Defence believed there was no longer a requirement for a new, purpose-built facility.

“But these facilities do not offer the same level of support to Defence personnel as we have done for 40 years, for some families we are their only means of support,” Ms Curtin said.

Two years ago Williamtown Pre-School, along with the daycare and playgroup centres, was moved off the RAAF base due to aircraft noise issues and into temporary premises at Raymond Terrace.

“At the time we were told a new facility was being constructed adjacent to the Christian School at Medowie.

“The timing of this latest announcement is poor, we would have liked 12 months to find alternative premises, not four.”

Ms Curtin said that the pre-school would look at a number of options in order to continue to operate, including the possibility of partnering with another organisation, and that discussions had taken place with Port Stephens Council.

One parent, Sally, said that Williamtown Pre-school was not just an educational service.

“It has become a part of my extended family as I do not have any family in Australia. [The pre-school] offers much needed guidance and support to myself and my children while my husband is away serving his country.”

Another mother described the news as “one disappointment after another”, and argued that Defence families should not be treated as a business commodity.

The pre-school has set up a gofundme page for donations to help in their endeavour to locate new premises locally.