Nearly half of 100 new public preschools to be delivered by the NSW Government over the next three years will be located in regional and rural communities.
The NSW Government is today unveiling the regional and rural preschool locations that will be built over the next three years as part of its record $769 million investment to build 100 new public preschools co-located at public primary schools by 2027, including building preschools at new public primary schools.
This is part of the NSW Government's mission to boost access to early childhood education.
49 new public preschools will be in locations including the South Coast, the Hunter, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, New England, Southern NSW, Northern Rivers, Far West, Riverina, South-West Slopes and Central West regions.
Today's announcement of the expansion of public preschool services will improve access for regional families.
Co-locating public preschools with existing schools will ensure children are ready for kindergarten, help busy working families with cost-of-living pressures, and avoid the double drop off, making the transition to school as seamless as possible.
Sites were selected by a NSW Department of Education Panel, overseen by an independent chair and probity advisor, based on rigorous assessment criteria which considered multiple factors, including:
- Educational need;
- Child development and socioeconomic data;
- Projected preschool demand;
- Infrastructure feasibility; and
- Insights gained through consultation with industry and stakeholders
This is in stark contrast to the former government who after 12 years in power only delivered one new public preschool.
Despite this record, during the election they claimed they would deliver 500 preschools over the next four years, equating to one every three days. This commitment was made without a proper planning or consultation.
Late last year the NSW Government announced the initial 10 public preschool sites, which included four regional public preschool sites.
The NSW Government has also committed up to $29.4 million to expand the number of early childhood workers in NSW through a scholarship program, which has seen a record number of applications. The Government has also provided $17 million to support capital works for existing early childhood educators in areas of need.
A full list of regional and remote locations can be found below.
Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:
"We are committed to universal access to preschool, and today's announcement is an important step towards that.
"Investment in quality early childhood education has lifelong benefits for our young kids and is key to getting parents back into the workforce.
"No matter where you live in NSW you should have access to this essential infrastructure and service, our government is getting on with the job of ensuring that."
Prue Car, Minister for Education and Early Learning said:
"We made a commitment to build 100 public preschools because we understand the value of public education - and we believe that equity in education starts in the early years.
"Postcodes should not act as a barrier to accessing the best start in life and every child should have access to high quality resources from a young age, including having access to preschool.
"This investment is the biggest spend on public preschools in NSW history, and I am proud that close to half these new preschools will be in the regions."
Tara Moriarty, Minister for Regional NSW said:
"We have been listening to and learning from families, communities and expert educators and teachers as we work towards universal preschool for every child in NSW.
"This is a long-term commitment, and we will work with the whole ECEC sector to support quality, equity, and access in a range of settings so that every child gets a strong start in life and learning."
Regional locations where a new public preschool will be delivered:
Regional and remote Locations
- Wollongbar Public School
- Cessnock Public School
- Ellalong Public School
- Kearsley Public School
- Nulkaba Public School
- Boorowa Central School
- Moss Vale Public School
- Bomaderry Public School
- Deniliquin South Public School
- Taree Public School
- Moorland Public School
- Tacking Point Public School
- Greenwell Point Public School
- Sanctuary Point Public School
- Hillvue Point Public School
- Morgan Street Public School
- Beelbangera Public School
- Hanwood Public School
- Leeton Public School
- Parkview Public School
- Toomelah Public School
- Warialda Public School
- Parkes East Public School
- Bowraville Central School
- Jindabyne Public School
- Bourke Public School
- Menindee Public School
Regional Metropolitan Locations
- Kurri Kurri Public School
- Weston Public School
- Umina Beach Public School
- Booragul Public School
- Teralba Public School
- Tenambit Public School
- Queanbeyan East Public School
- Queanbeyan South Public School
- Barrack Heights Public School
- Lake Illawarra South Public School
- Maryland Public School
- Shortland Public School
- Berkeley West Public School
- Cringila Public School
- Hayes Park Public School
- Lake Heights Public School
- Tuggerawong Public School
- Gillieston Public School
Previously Announced
- Nowra - new public school
- Lennox Head Public School
- Albury Thurgoona - new public school
- Wilton Junction School
