The Minns Labor Government is closing in on its promise to deliver the state's biggest expansion of public preschools, with work now underway on all 12 new sites in the Hunter.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley and Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr will today mark the start of construction for the new public preschool at Weston Public School - passing the three-quarter milestone of the 100 new public preschools being built across the state.
Construction of all 12 new public preschools across the Hunter are now underway, co-located on public school sites at Booragul, Cessnock, Ellalong, Gillieston, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Maryland, Nulkaba, Shortland, Tenambit, Teralba and Weston public schools.
Once complete, the preschools will provide places for up to 1,000 children across the region per week.
The new preschools will offer high-quality early learning to support children's transition into kindergarten and schooling, as well as ease pick up and drop off for parents with older students at the same school. In addition to state-of-the-art learning areas, each new preschool will include staff facilities, a kitchen, toilet facilities and landscaped outdoor play areas.
These preschools are the first built in NSW in almost two decades, providing a sharp contrast to the former Liberal National government, which failed to build a single public preschool in its 12 years in office.
The new public preschools form part of a record $9 billion investment in new schools and upgrades across NSW. Across the Hunter, major projects include the redevelopment of Gillieston Public School, a new high school for Medowie and new primary and high schools in Huntlee - together delivering more than 100 new classrooms for local students.
Public schools across the Hunter are also supporting a growing number of talented high-potential students under the Inspire program, following the Minns Labor Government announcement of gifted education pathways now available in every public school.
Lake Macquarie High School and Muswellbrook High School are among 33 High Potential and Gifted Education Partner Schools benefiting from a $100 million NSW Government investment to expand high potential and gifted education programs across the state. Both schools are set to benefit from new and upgraded facilities, including a new marine studies laboratory at Lake Macquarie High School and upgraded creative and performing arts facilities at Muswellbrook High School.
These investments into school infrastructure are being matched with stronger education outcomes. Teacher vacancies in NSW public schools are now at a 12-year low, with vacancies in Hunter schools falling by nearly 75 per cent since 2023.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"Where your child lives should not limit what they can achieve, and every child should have access to high-quality early learning.
"For far too long, families across the Hunter had limited access to quality early childhood education, and the Liberals failed to deliver a single public preschool during their 12 years in government.
"With construction underway at 75 of our 100 new public preschools, thousands of families across the state will soon have access to high-quality early education close to home.
"Together with our historic investment in school infrastructure, the Minns Labor Government is working hard to give every child in NSW the best start in life."
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
"Hunter families have been crying out for more early learning places, and that's what we're delivering with 12 new public preschools right across our region.
"For parents in communities like Weston, this means their kids can learn, grow and get ready for school close to home, in facilities built for the future. And for families with big sisters and brothers, it's making life easier for parents with drop-offs and pick-ups all in one place!
"Construction underway at all 12 Hunter preschools is a big milestone for our region, and proof that the Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering for the Hunter."
Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
"It's fantastic that Weston Public School and five other school communities in the Cessnock area will soon welcome a brand-new public preschool, giving local children access to high-quality, fee-free early learning.
"The Minns Labor Government's investment to double public preschools across the state - including in rural areas like ours - means more families in Cessnock will benefit from safe, supportive, and play-based learning environments led by qualified teachers."
Weston Public School Principal Anna Swanson said:
"Families and staff at Weston Public School are incredibly excited about our new preschool and its addition to our learning community.
"The addition of a preschool shows our dedication to enhancing equity through excellence from our littlest learners through our primary school and into our older high school learners.
"We know that most of a child's brain development happens by age five, and this facility will provide high-quality early learning that supports this crucial stage and positions every student well for future success."
