More than 1,000 additional children across New South Wales will benefit from public early learning as 14 new preschools open their doors in Term 4, giving more families access to a fee-free, high-quality early education, close to home.
The new preschools are part of the largest expansion of public early education in New South Wales history, with the Minns Labor Government delivering 100 new, fee-free, public preschools by early 2027. This will double the number of public preschools across the state, creating places for an additional 9,000 children.
The 14 new public preschools built by the Minns Labor Government will join seven already built and operating across New South Wales, giving more working families access to high-quality early learning in their local community.
In Western Sydney, Yagoona Public Preschool is welcoming its first intake of students as Term 4 begins. Yagoona Public Preschool will accommodate up to 80 children per week and provide dedicated preschool classrooms and outdoor play space.
Every new public preschool is built alongside an existing public primary school, easing the transition for local children into kindergarten and simplifying the pick-up and drop-off for families.
The Minns Labor Government's 100 new public preschools will be staffed by fully-trained teachers and qualified educators, with New South Wales public preschools holding the highest proportion of services 'exceeding' the national quality standards.
Research shows children who participate in a high-quality preschool education program in the year before school are more likely to start school equipped with essential learning and social skills.
This investment will provide children with the best possible start in life and learning, and make high-quality early education more accessible and affordable for working families.
It stands in stark contrast to the former Liberal National government, which failed to build a single new public preschool during its 12 years in office. Under its watch, the number of private for-profit early learning providers increased, accompanied by some of the worst quality outcomes and highest breach rates in the early learning sector.
In addition to ensuring students have modern preschools, schools and classrooms, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff from uncertain temporary contracts to permanent employment.
This follows the Minns Labor Government's abolition of the Liberals and Nationals wages cap, delivering New South Wales teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.
This reform is attracting teachers into public schools and helping retain those already there, with teacher vacancies at a 12-year low and the number of merged and cancelled classes in New South Wales halving since the election of the Minns Labor Government.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"As a parent, I know how important those first years of education are, and how much of a difference a great preschool can make to a child's future.
"I also know how difficult it can be for families to juggle work, school drop-offs, and pick-ups. That's why we're building 100 new fee-free public preschools, close to where families live.
"This is about making life a little easier for parents and giving our kids the opportunities they deserve, no matter where they grow up."
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"This is an historic day for families across New South Wales, with more parents able to access a public preschool, close to home, for the first time.
"When families can drop their children off at a local public preschool, it means more flexibility and less pressure on the household budget, while their child receives a high-quality early education.
"The former government didn't build a single new public preschool in 12 years. We're building 100, because the Minns Labor Government is committed to providing children with the best start in life."
Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:
"Families in Yagoona, and across Bankstown, can see firsthand what happens when a government delivers the schools and early learning opportunities growing communities need.
"As a former local principal, I know how important the entire school experience is to ensure children reach their full potential.
"I'm proud to be part of a government that is delivering the essential services Bankstown deserves."
Member for Auburn Lynda Voltz said:
"Families in Yagoona have long deserved access to a fee-free, high-quality public preschool, and that's exactly what the Minns Labor Government is delivering.
"Yagoona Public Preschool, co-located alongside the public school, will make a real difference for local families, giving our youngest learners a strong foundation for Kindergarten and beyond."
Yagoona Public School principal Meaghan Wilson said:
"We're thrilled to welcome our new preschool families into the Yagoona Public School community.
"Having the preschool co-located on school grounds means children and families can build relationships with our staff and older children to ease their transition into big school."
Minns Labor Government Public Preschools set to open in Term 4 include:
- Carramar Public Preschool
- Cartwright Public Preschool
- Curran Public Preschool
- Emerton Public Preschool
- Gables Public Preschool
- Granville East Public Preschool
- Guildford West Public Preschool
- Leeton Public Preschool
- Lynwood Park Public Preschool
- Moorland Public Preschool
- Sackville Street Public Preschool
- Sherwood Grange Public Preschool
- Villawood North Public Preschool
- Yagoona Public Preschool
Minns Labor Government Public preschools already operational:
- Blackett Public Preschool
- Boorowa Public Preschool
- Hanwood Public Preschool
- Hillvue Public Preschool
- Gulyangarri Public Preschool
- Queanbeyan East Public Preschool
- Queanbeyan South Public Preschool
