Construction of the first public preschools to be delivered by the NSW Minns Government has begun today as part of the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history gets underway.
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.
“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,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“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.”
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 a wonderful opportunity for our families across the Liverpool community to access high quality early learning for their children,” said Cartwright Public School Principal, Elizabeth Harris.
“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.”
The build is part of the NSW Government’s $769 million commitment to construct 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, 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 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,” said Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, Courtney Houssos.
