Families from the regions will be among the first in NSW to access The Nationals' landmark universal pre-Kindergarten reform.
71 early childhood services from across NSW including Wagga Wagga, Kempsey, Nambucca, Bourke, Cobar, and Coonamble will begin participating in the first stage from next month.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the historic investment by The Nationals will deliver significant growth in the development of children across NSW.
"In a ground-breaking move thanks to the NSW Government, every family across NSW will have access to a full year of free quality preschool education for their children by 2030," Mr Toole said.
Nationals' Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said universal pre-Kindergarten is one of the biggest education reforms in a generation.
"This investment will change lives, delivering enormous educational, social and economic benefits for the families and children of NSW," Ms Mitchell said.
The services will be testing different elements of the landmark universal pre-Kindergarten reform, including increased attendance, extended hours of operation, and transition to school programs.
Feedback from the first 71 early childhood services, which include Department preschools and community preschools, long day care and mobile services, will ensure a smooth state-wide implementation of universal pre-Kindergarten.
Alongside this investment, part of our long-term economic plan, the NSW Nationals in government are currently assessing opportunities to build the capacity of the sector, including investments in early learning facilities and a raft of workforce initiatives.
More than $5.8 billion in the 2022/23 NSW Budget was allocated to begin the delivery of a universal pre-Kindergarten year for all children in the year before school in NSW by 2030. It's part of the NSW Nationals' $15.9 billion Early Years Commitment to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.
