With parents of children at Leeton's Preschool experiencing trouble accessing a speech pathologist to help counteract this, something had to be done.

"At the start of last year we had parents tell us they couldn't access a speech pathologist because the wait lists were so long," Leeton Preschool director Laura Lashbrook said.

"The statistical data is one in three preschoolers needs some sort of help with their speech. In can be just really minor, but it's important it can be addressed at this age.

"So we got in contact with My Word Speech Therapy in Albury and spoke to them about the need we have here."

A speech therapist then started travelling to the preschool on a regular basis to offer sessions for not just children at the Leeton facility, but from across the whole shire.

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Children from Griffith were also attending.

The preschool didn't charge for the speech therapist to use their facility for these sessions, they were just pleased the help was available for people to access.

"They pretty much ran a private practice out of our service, but it was benefiting everyone," Mrs Lashbrook said.

"In exchange, a speech pathologist would do sessions with our staff to provide support and information."

The plan was to continue the same this year, but then the pandemic struck.

A speech pathologist who works for the company in Albury, but is located in Narrandera has still been coming to Leeton on a monthly basis, but telehealth services have also been activated in this area.

"Our families can still access the service (through telehealth), it's cheaper and families are not missing out," Mrs Lashbrook said.

"Those that were having trouble with technology, we've been allowing them to come to the preschool and do their telehealth session here.

"We've noticed a huge difference in the children who have used these services.

"The families are really grateful.

"Some were told they would be on a waiting list for 18 months and in this time the issue can get worse.

"This way it seems to work well for everyone."