We are taking the first steps towards universal preschool across NSW by building 100 new public preschools on public school sites. This will double the number of public preschools across the state and support more children and families to prepare for the best start in life and learning.

Gulyangarri Public Preschool, the first of the 100 new public preschools, opened in October 2024.

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.

Documents supporting the site selection process

Assessment Panel Decision Making Framework (PDF 371KB)

100 Preschool Site Selection Assessment - Probity Report (PDF 1,314KB)

Independent Expert Reviewer - Summary report on process (PDF 427KB)

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, early learning services and communities

If you are a parent, carer, early learning service or community member in a new public preschool location, visit our information for families ECEC services and communities webpage for more information on what to expect.

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.