Hundreds of families across Far West NSW are a step closer to accessing fee-free, high-quality early learning, with contracts awarded for four brand-new public early learning services in the region.
Each public early learning service will be co-located with an existing public primary school, making drop-off and pick up easier for busy families and helping children transition into kindergarten with confidence.
The new services include preschools at Menindee Central School, Parkes East Public School and Morgan Street Public School, and an Early Years Transition Centre at Bourke Public School.
The Department of Education continues to work closely with the local community as each project progresses.
Shape Australia Pty Ltd will deliver the projects, with construction expected to begin later this year and doors opening by early 2027. Once open, the four sites will cater for up to 320 local children a week.
They will join the recently opened Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool - the first new public preschool built in NSW in almost 20 years.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's record investment to rapidly expand the provision of public preschool in NSW, funded by our record investment in the 2024-25 Budget.
As the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state's history, the NSW Government's rollout of 100 more public preschools will provide access to high quality early learning for up to 9,000 children across NSW by 2027. Of the 100 new public preschools, 51 are metropolitan Sydney and 49 are in regional NSW, prioritised in areas of highest need based on a rigorous selection process.
This historic investment is a major turnaround from the former Liberal National Government, who didn't build a single public preschool in 12 years.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"Access to preschool can be difficult for young families, particularly in regional areas, which is why we are delivering new public preschools across towns in the state's far west in areas where they are needed most.
"The Minns Labor Government, with the advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to improving access to free, quality public preschool for our youngest learners because we know how crucial early learning is for a child's development.
"The former Liberal National government failed to deliver for young families in the regions and didn't build a single new public preschool while in office.
"The Minns Labor Government made this historic commitment to deliver the biggest expansion in public preschools in NSW's history because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode."
Minister for Western New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
"Early learning is a vital first step in a child's education and these new fee-free preschools will help our regional communities thrive.
"With 49 new public preschools across regional NSW, this historic investment is a major turning point for regional families after years of neglect by the former Liberal National Government who failed to invest in public preschools.
"Families in our regions deserve access to high-quality early learning and I am proud to see the Minns Labor Government continuing to make significant investment in regional communities."
Bourke Public School Executive Principal Margaret Gordon-Poole said:
"The start of construction for the new Early Years Transition Centre is an exciting step forward for the entire Bourke community.
"Having the Early Years Transition Centre on site will improve transition to school for our Kindergarten children, improve learning outcomes and offer convenience for parents."
Menindee Central School Executive Principal Fiona Kelly said:
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our families across the whole Menindee community.
"Our new service will provide greater access and support for our young children as they transition to Kindergarten.
"We are very excited to welcome our newest learners and support the beginning of their learning journey."
Parkes East Public School Principal Michael Ostler said:
"We're excited to be establishing a preschool at Parkes East Public School.
"This is an opportunity to welcome young learners into the heart of our school community, where we lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning within the strong and supportive environment of public education."
Morgan Street Public School Principal Scott Sanford said:
"Our community is looking forward to having a public preschool on the same site as Morgan Street Public School.
"We are excited to welcome our youngest learners when the new preschool opens, as we understand the positive impact that quality early childhood education has on their learning."
