Beelbangera Public School is one of four in the Murrumbidgee in line for a new preschool. Photo: Beelbangera Public School.
The NSW Government is moving ahead with its promised expansion of early childhood education, with the full list of 100 public preschools unveiled this week.
A handful of Riverina schools have been included among the 49 regional public preschools on the list, including Albury Thurgoona, Hanwood and Beelbangera Public School near Griffith, Leeton’s Public School and Parkview Public School and Deniliquin South Public School.
In the September budget, the new Labor Government revealed an investment of $769 million to deliver the new facilities by 2027, along with a commitment to build a preschool on the grounds of every new public primary school in the state.
Data from the Australian Early Development Census shows one in five children is developmentally behind when starting school.
“Children who receive high-quality early childhood education can benefit throughout their life, and it is so important families are able to access good-quality services wherever they live,” said Premier Chris Minns.
“This investment is an important step towards delivering expanded preschool access for all families across NSW.”
It’s hoped that co-locating public preschools with existing schools will help avoid the double drop-off and smooth the transition to school.
During last year’s state election campaign, the Coalition promised to fast-track 500 new preschools as part of its $5.8b universal pre-kindergarten program.
Labor dismissed the target as “unrealistic” and promised with “no proper planning” and instead committed to the more modest rollout.
“I am delighted the NSW Labor Government will deliver 100 new public preschools over the next three years, a key election commitment made to the people of NSW,” said Deputy Premier Prue Car.
“This investment in public preschools is the largest made by any government in NSW’s history.
“This significant investment reflects the NSW Labor Government’s commitment to high-quality public education, and our belief that access to early childhood education before school should not be defined by your postcode.”
It’s estimated that millions of NSW families are living in “childcare deserts”, where eligible children outnumber available places by as many as seven to one.
According to research from the Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy, 89.5 per cent of the Murrumbidgee region (Griffith and Leeton) is in a childcare desert, with 4.17 children per childcare place.
Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the new measure was a “major step” forward.
“We are committed to working hard to deliver high-quality education and closing equity gaps so more families and children in NSW can access early childhood public education,” he said.
Here’s the complete list of locations for the 100 new public preschools:
- Albury Thurgoona – new primary school
- Barrack Heights Public School
- Beelbangera Public School
- Berkeley West Public School
- Birrong Public School
- Blackett Public School
- Blacktown North Public School
- Blairmount Public School
- Blaxcell Street Public School
- Bomaderry Public School
- Booragul Public School
- Boorowa Central School
- Bourke Public School
- Bowraville Central School
- Bradbury Public School
- Cabramatta West Public School
- Carramar Public School
- Carter Street Precinct near Sydney Olympic Park – new primary school
- Cartwright Public School
- Cecil Hills Public School
- Cessnock Public School
- Chullora Public School
- Crawford Public School
- Cringila Public School
- Curran Public School
- Deniliquin South Public School
- Edensor Park Public School
- Ellalong Public School
- Emerton Public School
- Eschol Park Public School
- Fairfield West Public School
- Gables in north-west Sydney – new primary school
- Gillieston Public School
- Governor Philip King Public School
- Granville East Public School
- Granville South Public School
- Greenway Park Public School
- Greenwell Point Public School
- Guildford Public School
- Guildford West Public School
- Gulyangarri Public School
- Hanwood Public School
- Harcourt Public School
- Hayes Park Public School
- Hebersham Public School
- Heckenberg Public School
- Hillvue Public School
- Jindabyne Public School
- Kearns Public School
- Kearsley Public School
- Kingsgrove Public School
- Kurri Kurri Public School
- Lake Heights Public School
- Lake Illawarra South Public School
- Lansvale East Public School
- Leeton Public School
- Lennox Head Public School
- Leppington Public School
- Leumeah Public School
- Lynwood Park Public School
- Maryland Public School
- Melonba Public School
- Melrose Park Public School
- Menindee Central School
- Miller Public School
- Moorland Public School
- Morgan Street Public School
- Moss Vale Public School
- Mount Pritchard Public School
- Nirimba Fields Public School
- Nowra – new public school
- Nulkaba Public School
- Parkes East Public School
- Parkview Public School
- Prairievale Public School
- Queanbeyan East Public School
- Queanbeyan South Public School
- Robert Townson Public School
- Ruse Public School
- Sackville Street Public School
- Sanctuary Point Public School
- Shalvey Public School
- Sherwood Grange Public School
- Shortland Public School
- Tacking Point Public School
- Taree Public School
- Tenambit Public School
- Teralba Public School
- Thomas Acres Public School
- Toomelah Public School
- Tuggerawong Public School
- Umina Beach Public School
- Villawood North Public School
- Warialda Public School
- Weston Public School
- William Stimson Public School
- Wilton Junction – new primary school
- Wollongbar Public School
- Woodland Road Public School
- Yagoona Public School.
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