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 the year.
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.
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.
Once complete they will provide places for up to 9,000 additional children to access high quality early education in their local community.
“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,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“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.”
“From Bomaderry to Griffith and Wollongbar to Tamworth, we are providing more children in the regions with the best possible start to their education,” said Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, Courtney Houssos.
“We know quality early learning makes all the difference to a child’s success in school. It really is life changing.”
Bomaderry Public School Principal, Dionne Hanbidge said having a public preschool on the school grounds was “pretty close to a dream come true”.
“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!” she said.
“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.”
