Liberal Candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes the Perrottet Liberal Government's announcement today that tens of thousands of kids across the state will have access to free preschool sooner, with a re-elected NSW Liberal Government to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8 billion one-year free pre-Kindergarten program.
The commitment will bring forward $1 billion to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the second half of this year, with the first 500 on public school sites to be completed within four years.
This includes new preschools connected to Ermington West, Melrose, Oatlands and Rydalmere public schools in the Parramatta electorate.
By 2030, every single child in NSW will have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school.
A re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will also legislate the right to one-year free pre-Kindergarten in the next term of government.
"Free pre-Kindergarten is a landmark reform that means certainty for families and a real commitment by the Perrottet Liberal Government to empowering local communities in Parramatta" Ms Mullens said.
"This is a significant change that will make all the difference for working parents and offer our kids a head start in their social and educational interactions".
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of kids across the state, setting them up for future success.
"NSW is leading the nation with our pre-Kindergarten program, which will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school," Mr Perrottet said.
"We know there is significant demand for childcare and preschool services across NSW, with many families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest facility.
"That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, making it easier for working parents and getting our kids learning sooner.
"The benefits of this are huge. Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their early learning, we're giving more time back to busy parents."
Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting ours kids up for lifelong financial success.
"Because of our universal pre-kindergarten policy, thousands more children are expected to go to preschool, adding $123,000 on average to their lifetime earnings," Mr Kean said.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that she was pleased to be able to unveil the first 500 schools that will have purpose-built infrastructure for universal pre-Kindergarten.
"Universal pre-Kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on public school sites alone," Ms Mitchell said.
"Our experience and capacity to deliver quality school infrastructure means we've been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.
"Cementing universal pre-Kindergarten as a new part of the education journey for children in NSW will be the first thing on the legislative agenda for a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.
"Under a Liberals and Nationals Government families have certainty. Labor's commitment of 150 'new or upgraded' preschools creates less than 6,000 places - a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver. Chris Minns will leave young families with less."
The NSW Liberal Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.
This includes the introduction of universal pre-Kindergarten, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschool fee relief.
