Construction of some of the first public preschools to be delivered by the Minns Labor Government is officially beginning today as the government works to deliver the biggest expansion of public preschools in NSW history.
This year, 25 public preschools that are co-located on public school sites will commence construction, with work starting today at Cartwright Public School in South West Sydney.
When built, the new preschools will offer a high-quality early learning to 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.
This is part of the NSW Government's $769 million commitment to build 100 new public preschools.
The investment doubles the number of public preschools in the state, the largest expansion of public early learning in NSW history.
Once complete up to 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 a rigorous selection process.
The NSW government is making historic investments to giving every child across NSW 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
- $17 million for capital works at early childhood services in areas of need, and
- More than $29 million for scholarships to increase the number of early childhood workers.
The Minns Labor Government's work towards delivering universal preschool access across the state is in sharp contrast to the former Liberal National government, who over twelve years failed to build a single public preschool.
With the one new public preschool already open to students, the first built in NSW in almost 20 years, the Minns Labor Government is on track to deliver its commitment of 100 public preschools in full by 2027.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:
"I don't think there's a more important investment we can make than in our kids' education. These 100 new public preschools will give thousands of children across NSW the best possible start in life.
"For too long, families have struggled to find affordable, high-quality early learning close to home. We're changing that, building public preschools right alongside public schools to make life easier for parents and give every child the opportunity to thrive.
"The former government didn't build a single public preschool in twelve years. We're building one hundred, because every child in NSW deserves access to early learning, no matter where they live."
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delighted to be kicking off construction on the first tranche of 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."
Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our families across the Liverpool community to access high quality early learning for their children.
"With the public preschool on school grounds, it will make children's transition to kindergarten that much easier, here in the 2168.
"We are very excited to welcome our youngest learners, supporting the beginning of their school journey at a new public preschool at Cartwright Public School, and I know it will make a huge difference for these learners."
Cartwright Public School Principal Elizabeth Harris said:
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our families across the Liverpool community to access high quality early learning for their children.
"With the public preschool on school grounds, it will smooth children's transition to kindergarten.
"We are very excited to welcome our youngest learners, supporting the beginning of their school journey at a new public preschool at Cartwright Public School."
