100 new public preschools
Information about the 100 new public preschools to be built on public primary school sites by 2027.
We are taking the first steps towards universal preschool across NSW by building 100 new public preschools on public primary school sites. This will double the number of public preschools across the state and support more children and families to prepare for Kindergarten for the best start in life and learning.
Site selection process
The NSW Government made a commitment to build 100 public preschools that are co-located with primary schools by 2027.
Of the 100 new public preschools, 13 will sit on new and redeveloped school sites, in line with the NSW Government’s commitment to provide co-located preschools in new and redeveloped schools.
The school sites for the remaining 87 public preschools have been selected in areas where the department has identified that there is a need for public preschool places to support more children to be able to access a preschool program prior to starting school. School sites have been selected based on; child development and socioeconomic data, projected demand for preschool, an infrastructure analysis and valuable insights gained through local feedback during the decision-making process.
The site selection Assessment Panel, comprised of NSW Department of Education executive members and an independent Aboriginal representative, made decisions through a robust process. This resulted in the selection of the remaining 87 preschool sites. This process occurred with oversight by an independent external reviewer and independent probity advisor.
This was followed by an independent review of the decision-making process to ensure transparency and accountability.
Information for schools
If you are a staff member at a school selected as a new preschool site, visit our Early Learning webpage for more information.
Information for families
Public preschools operate during school hours and provide play-based educational programs. Located on public school sites, they support a positive transition to school by forming strong connections between children, families and school staff, fostering a sense of belonging for children, and helping teachers to understand and meet the individual needs of children when they start school.
The Public preschool enrolment procedures (PDF 185KB) provides information for principals and parents/carers when enrolling students in preschools. They should be read in conjunction with the Enrolment of Students in NSW Government Schools policy.
If you are a parent or carer in a community selected for a new public preschool, read the below FAQs for more information on what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
The NSW Government has announced the sites of 100 new public preschools to be built by 2027. Preschools will open pending building and regulatory approvals, so please keep an eye on your school communications to find out how the work is progressing.
This is a long-term project, so schools will not be able to take enrolments at this stage.
Each school will communicate with their community on how the work is progressing, including when families can enrol.
Public preschools prioritise enrolment for:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children
- children living in low socio-economic circumstances
- children who are unable to access other early childhood settings due to financial hardship.
It is the department’s intention to make sure all public preschools remain affordable for families.
This year families will not be charged any fees to send their child to a public preschool.
Further information will be provided to local communities, including enrolment information, as the work progresses. Generally, children can enrol in preschool from the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 years of age on or before 31 July that year. Public preschools enrol children for one year only, the year before they start school.
Of the 100 new public preschools, 13 will sit on new and redeveloped school sites as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to co-locate a preschool on all new public primary school sites.
The remaining preschool sites have been selected based on educational need, child development and socioeconomic data, projected demand for preschool, an infrastructure analysis and valuable insights gained through local feedback.
The department made decisions through a clear process with independent oversight.
Locations
Albury Thurgoona*, TBC
Barrack Heights Public, Barrack Heights
Beelbangera Public, Beelbangera
Berkeley West, Berkeley
Birrong Public, Birrong
Blackett Public, Blackett
Blacktown North Public, Blacktown
Blairmount Public, Blairmount
Blaxcell Street Public, Granville
Bomaderry Public, Bomaderry
Booragul Public , Booragul
Boorowa Central, Boorowa
Bourke Public, Bourke
Bowraville Central, Bowraville
Bradbury Public, Bradbury
Cabramatta West Public, Cabramatta
Carramar Public, Carramar
Carter St Precinct*, Lidcombe
Cartwright Public, Cartwright
Cecil Hills Public, Cecil Hills
Cessnock Public , Cessnock
Chullora Public, Greenacre
Crawford Public, Doonside
Cringila Public, Cringila
Curran Public, Macquarie Fields
Deniliquin South Public, Deniliquin
Edensor Park Public, Edensor Park
Ellalong Public, Ellalong
Emerton Public, Emerton
Eschol Park Public, Eschol Park
Fairfield West Public, Fairfield West
Gables*, Gables
Gillieston Public*, Gillieston Heights
Governor Philip King Public, Edensor Park
Granville East Public, Granville
Granville South Public, Guildford
Greenway Park Public, Carnes Hill
Greenwell Point Public, Greenwell Point
Guildford Public, Guildford
Guildford West Public, Guildford West
Gulyangarri Public School*, Liverpool
Hanwood Public, Hanwood
Harcourt Public, Campsie
Hayes Park Public, Kanahooka
Hebersham Public, Hebersham
Heckenberg Public, Heckenberg
Hillvue Public, Tamworth
Jindabyne Public School*, Jindabyne
Kearns Public, Kearns
Kearsley Public, Kearsley
Kingsgrove Public, Kingsgrove
Kurri Kurri Public, Kurri Kurri
Lake Heights Public, Lake Heights
Lake Illawarra South Public, Lake Illawarra
Lansvale East Public, Cabramatta
Leeton Public, Leeton
Lennox Head Public*, Lennox Head
Leppington Public*, Leppington
Leumeah Public, Leumeah
Lynwood Park Public, Blacktown
Maryland Public, Maryland
Melonba Public*, Melonba
Melrose Park Public*, West Ryde
Menindee Central, Menindee
Miller Public, Miller
Moorland Public, Moorland
Morgan Street Public, Broken Hill
Moss Vale Public, Moss Vale
Mount Pritchard Public, Mount Pritchard
Nirimba Fields Public School*, Nirimba Fields
Nowra*, Nowra
Nulkaba Public, Nulkaba
Parkes East Public, Parkes
Parkview Public, Leeton
Prairievale Public, Bossley Park
Queanbeyan East Public, Queanbeyan
Queanbeyan South Public, Queanbeyan
Robert Townson Public, Raby
Ruse Public, Ruse
Sackville Street Public, Ingleburn
Sanctuary Point Public, Sanctuary Point
Shalvey Public, Shalvey
Sherwood Grange Public, Merrylands
Shortland Public, Shortland
Tacking Point Public, Port Macquarie
Taree Public, Taree
Tenambit Public, Tenambit
Teralba Public, Teralba
Thomas Acres Public, Ambarvale
Toomelah Public, Boggabilla
Tuggerawong Public, Tuggerawong
Umina Beach Public, Umina Beach
Villawood North Public, Fairfield East
Warialda Public,Warialda
Weston Public,Weston
William Stimson Public, Wetherill Park
Wilton Junction *, Wilton
Wollongbar Public, Wollongbar
Woodland Road Public, St Helens Park
Yagoona Public, Yagoona
*On a new or redeveloped school site
It is expected that the new preschools will open by 2027, pending building and regulatory approvals.
Building 100 new public preschools is just the beginning of our journey to universal preschool and we are committed to working closely with all early childhood education and care (ECEC) service types to understand their needs and build on their strengths to achieve this goal together in a practical way.
We are also building on our existing and new programs, including Start Strong and the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund, to strengthen the ECEC sector whilst making tangible steps towards universal preschool.
Got questions? Contact the 100 preschools team on 100preschools@det.nsw.edu.au or call 1800 619 113.