The largest public preschool construction program in NSW history is now underway in regional NSW, with work set to commence on more than 20 new public preschools before the end of 2025.
This work has been marked with construction beginning on a new public preschool at Bomaderry Public School - one of 10 new public preschools in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, and 49 across regional NSW, set to open by early 2027.
The historic building program is a key election commitment of the Minns Labor Government to open 100 public preschools across NSW, improving access to affordable, high quality early education for families in areas where it is most needed.
The $769 million investment will double the number of public preschools in NSW, making it the largest expansion of public early learning in NSW history.
All public preschools will be co-located with local public schools, supporting children's transition into kindergarten and easing pick-up and drop-off for parents with older students at the same school.
The preschools will offer high-quality early education within state-of-the-art learning facilities which will include landscaped outdoor playground areas.
Once complete they will provide places for up to 9,000 additional children to access high quality early education in their local community.
The program to build 100 new public preschools is part of the Minns Labor Government's historic investment in early learning, ensuring that every child across NSW has the best possible start to their education. The investment also includes:
- $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 early childhood services in areas of need
- More than $29 million for scholarships to increase the number of early childhood workers.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:
"Providing the best possible start for our children is one of the most important investments any government can make which is why we're building 100 new public preschools including 49 in regional NSW.
"Families in rural and regional NSW have told us they are struggling to find affordable, high-quality early learning close to home. That's exactly what these new public preschools in the regions will help fix - like this one right here in Bomaderry.
"The former government didn't build a single public preschool in twelve years. We're building one hundred in our first term, that are co-located with public schools so parents can also avoid the double drop off."
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
"This is a significant milestone for the region, with construction beginning on 10 new public preschools across the Illawarra and South Coast.
"These new preschools will ensure families in the region have access to world-class early education closer to home.
"This is a historic investment that will make a huge difference for local communities, and we are proud to see it roll out."
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"From Bomaderry to Griffith and Wollongbar to Tamworth, we are providing more children in the regions with the best possible start to their education.
"We know quality early learning makes all the difference to a child's success in school. It really is life changing.
"That is why the Minns Labor Government, with the leadership of Deputy Premier Prue Car, made this historic commitment, because we strongly believe all NSW children should have access to high-quality early education."
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:
"I'm thrilled to be marking the start of construction on Bomaderry's new fee-free public preschool. It will be such an important resource for our families.
"Bomaderry families have told me that we need more quality early learning options and I'm delighted that construction is underway and the school will soon be welcoming its first class of preschoolers."
Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:
"I'm incredibly proud to see construction starting on these new preschools across the South Coast. This was a key commitment we took to the election, and we're delivering on that promise for local families.
"The Minns Government understands how vital early education is to a child's development and to support local families. The preschools we are building at Greenwell Point, Sanctuary Point, and the brand-new Worrigee Public School will give more children the best possible start to their education, right in the heart of their local community.
"When we committed to delivering public preschools on school grounds, we meant it, and now we're turning that commitment into concrete reality. It's exciting to see construction underway and to know that families across the South Coast will soon benefit from more accessible, public early education."
Bomaderry Public School Principal Dionne Hanbidge said:
"We have been advocating for an onsite preschool because we truly understand how much our children and families will benefit from this local early learning opportunity.
"Having a public preschool right here on our school grounds is pretty close to a dream come true, as it will not only provide high-quality early education but also create a seamless transition for our children as they move into kindergarten. Our kindergarteners will continue to learn and thrive from day 1!
"We are incredibly proud and excited to welcome the next generation of learners into a custom built, high quality facility, right here at Bomaderry Public School-supporting them to achieve their goals from the very start."
Regional public preschool works commencing construction before the end of 2025:
- Barrack Heights Public Preschool
- Berkeley West Public Preschool
- Bomaderry Public Preschool
- Cringila Public Preschool
- Greenwell Point Public Preschool
- Hayes Park Public Preschool
- Lake Heights Public Preschool
- Sanctuary Point Public Preschool
- Queanbeyan South Public Preschool
- Hillvue Public Preschool
- Moorland Public Preschool
- Tacking Point Public Preschool
- Warialda Public Preschool
- Wollongbar Public Preschool
- Booragul Public Preschool
- Nulkaba Public Preschool
- Tenambit Public Preschool
- Tuggerawong Public Preschool
- Weston Public Preschool
- Deniliquin South Public Preschool
- Hanwood Public Preschool
- New Bourke Public School Early Years Transition Centre
