NSW Gov
Southern Highlands families are set to benefit from a brand new, fee-free public preschool, as the Minns Labor Government continues delivering the largest expansion of public preschools in the state's history.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully MP and Labor Spokesperson for Goulburn Bob Nanva MLC will inspect construction kicking off for the new public preschool at Moss Vale Public School today.
Set to open by early 2027, the new public preschool will unlock places for up to 80 local children per week in the year before they start school.
The new preschool will offer high-quality early learning to support children's transition to 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 new preschools are part of the NSW Government's historic $769 million investment to deliver 100 new public preschools by early 2027, doubling access to fee-free early learning across the state. Nearly half of these public preschools will be located in regional NSW.
Once complete up to 9,000 children will benefit from access to fee-free, high quality early education in their local community.
The 100 new public preschools program is part of the NSW government's historic investment in early learning as part of their work to give every child across the state the best possible start to their education, including:
- $100 million to help community preschools provide more hours and welcome more children
- $60 million to build and upgrade 50 preschools at non-government schools
- $200 million to support Aboriginal-led early learning
- $20 million for capital works at not-for-profit early learning services in areas of need, and
- More than $29 million for scholarships to increase the number of early childhood educators.
These new public preschools are among some of the first built in NSW in almost 20 years, providing a sharp contrast to the former Liberal National government, which failed to build a single public preschool in its twelve years in office.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"For far too long, families in the Southern Highlands had limited access to quality early childhood education, and the Liberals failed to deliver a single public preschool during their 12 years in government.
"Parents in Moss Vale shouldn't have to choose between quality early learning and affordability, and this new, fee-free public preschool means local children will get the best start in the year before school.
"The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work rebuilding public education across regional NSW because all children deserve access to high-quality public education, no matter where they live."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"It's great to see a new public preschool coming out of the ground at Moss Vale Public School.
"This is one of 100 new fee-free public preschools being delivered across the state to make sure our littlest learners get the best start to life and are set up for success."
Labor Spokesperson for Goulburn, Bob Nanva, MLC said:
"Better access to fee-free preschool places in the Southern Highlands will help local families to juggle the challenges of parenting and work, and will help kids to develop the learning and social skills they need to thrive when they get to school."
Moss Vale Public School Principal Katherine Hurst said:
"This is a significant opportunity for families across the Southern Highlands to access high quality, play-based early learning right here in our community. Staffed by exceptional educators the new preschool is designed to be accessible and inclusive for every child, regardless of their background or needs.
"Located on school grounds, our preschool gives children an early introduction to school life, building confidence and familiarity that will support their kindergarten transition.
"As a school that supports children from preschool through to Year 6, we are committed to making the first years of education the best they can be. We look forward to welcoming our youngest learners and their families very soon."
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