Wollongong families can look forward to more fee-free early learning as shovels hit the ground on new Public Preschools for Hayes Park Public School and Berkeley West Public School.
The co-located preschools will offer a high-quality play-based early learning program, support childrens' 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 areas.
Both new public preschools will be open for the first term of the school year in 2027, and will each accommodate up to 80 children per week.
The delivery of both preschools has been fast tracked thanks to the Minns Labor Government's planning changes which last year scrapped the need for development applications for the construction of new public schools and preschools.
These are among six public preschools that the Minns Labor Government is delivering in the Illawarra by 2027, including Cringila and Lake Heights public schools in the Wollongong electorate, as part of the NSW Government's $769 million commitment to build 100 new public preschools.
The investment doubles the number of public preschools in NSW, the largest expansion of public early learning in NSW's history.
Once complete more than 9,000 children will benefit from access to fee-free, high quality early education in their local community. Of the 100 new public preschools, 51 are in metropolitan Sydney and 49 in regional NSW, prioritised in areas of highest need based on an independent selection process.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"It's great to see work under way to deliver new public preschools for both Hayes Park Public and Berkeley West Public.
"Once complete these preschools will provide fee-free early learning for 160 children, helping hundreds of families each year to access education to give their children the best possible start in life.
"The construction of these preschools are in addition to preschools being delivered at Cringila and Lake Heights public schools.
"These fee free public preschools are a huge boost to local public education and will give our littlest learners a lifelong boost to their education."
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delighted to be kicking off construction on these new public preschools, marking a historic expansion in access to early learning for families across NSW.
"For far too long, families in Western Sydney and Regional NSW had limited access to quality early childhood education, especially public early childhood education. Despite being in government for 12 years, the Liberals and Nationals failed to deliver for them.
"The Minns Labor Government, with the leadership of Deputy Premier Prue Car, made this historic commitment because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode."
Berkeley West Public School Principal Andrew Attard said:
"At Berkeley West, we're incredibly proud to be part of this important investment in early learning. Our new preschool will give local children the very best start-right here on Country.
"This facility is not just about early education; it's about honouring place, nurturing belonging, and building strong foundations for future learning and wellbeing."
Hayes Park Public School Principal Lisa Matthes said:
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our families across the Dapto and Kanahooka region to access high quality early learning for their children.
"With the public preschool on school grounds, it will help smooth children's transition to kindergarten.
"We are very excited about being able to welcome our youngest learners, supporting the beginning of their school journey at our new public preschool."
