The Minns Labor Government will build Ryde's first public preschool, providing local families with access to quality early learning as we continue to deliver on our commitment to meet the needs of growing communities.
The new public preschool will be co-located on the existing site of Ryde East Public School, ensuring an easy transition to kindergarten for students and providing places for up to 80 children a week when the preschool opens on Day 1 Term 1 2029.
This new public preschool will be delivered in addition to the Minns Labor Government's $769 million commitment to open 100 new preschools on public school sites by 2027.
As part of our commitment, a new public preschool is also being built at nearby Melrose Park public school. This means families in the broader Ryde area will soon have access to two public preschools.
The Minns Labor Government is investing in public education right across NSW, including in Ryde, to cater for growing school enrolment demand.
This targeted investment in public education ensures growing communities like Ryde have better access to a world-class public education.
Projects already underway in the area include designing a new high school at Macquarie Park and upgrades to Ryde Secondary College, which are nearing completion.
Construction is also well-advanced on the Minns Labor Government's new primary school at Midtown Macquarie Park with the concrete pour of the building's fourth floor now underway.
These new builds and upgrades are being delivered as part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to deliver better schools for NSW students, with the 2025-26 Budget delivering a record $9 billion for school infrastructure, including $3.9 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.
In addition to delivering new and upgraded schools, the Minns Labor Government's work to rebuild public education includes putting more teachers in front of students.
As part of this work, we have reduced teacher vacancies by 61 per cent across the state, resulting in the number of cancelled classes in NSW nearly halving since the Minns Labor Government took office.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"A strong start at school is crucial for every child. This is why the Minns Labor Government is delivering the biggest expansion of public preschools in NSW history and fixing the failures of the former Liberal-National Government.
"The former government failed to build a single, public preschool in NSW for over a decade and broke their promise to deliver a desperately needed new high school for Macquarie Park.
"Meanwhile, under the leadership of Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car, teacher vacancies in Ryde have fallen by 85 per cent compared to the same time in 2022 under the Liberals."
Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale said:
"It's fantastic to see the Minns Labor Government delivering Ryde's first ever public preschool, opening to local families in 2029 and helping our youngest students learn close to home.
"It's another example of how Labor Governments at both State and Federal levels are working together to meet the needs of growing communities like ours."
Ryde East Public School Principal Megan Tolsher:
"This is an important moment for our school - establishing a preschool on our school site will be a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with families in our community.
"Our new preschool will provide greater access and support for our young children as they move to kindergarten. We are excited to welcome our newest students and support the beginning of their school journey."
