Hundreds of families across south-eastern New South Wales will soon gain greater access to high-quality, fee-free early childhood education

Fiona Alston

Jul 02, 2025

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The NSW Government has awarded contracts for new preschools at Boorowa Central School, Moss Vale Public School, Queanbeyan East Public School and Queanbeyan South Public School.

Once operational, the services will offer places for up to 320 children each week, helping to address significant unmet demand for early learning in the region.

The new sites are part of the Minns Labor Government’s historic $769 million commitment to build 100 public preschools by 2027.

Nearly half of these preschools will be located in regional communities, where demand often far outstrips available places and families face limited options for affordable, quality early childhood education.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said the expansion was crucial to improving equity in early learning outcomes.

“Access to preschool can be difficult for young families, particularly in regional areas,” Ms Houssos said.

“High-quality early education sets children up for life boosting language skills, social development and school readiness. That’s why we are delivering the biggest expansion of public preschools in our state’s history.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said the new preschools would break down barriers to early learning access and deliver vital local jobs.

“Labor is delivering what the former Coalition government wouldn’t, local preschools, local jobs and access to fee-free early learning for our community,” Mr Whan said.

“These preschools will help ensure all children, regardless of postcode, have the chance to thrive from their earliest years.”

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with doors opening in early 2027. The announcement follows the recent opening of Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool, the first new public preschool built in NSW in nearly two decades.

For more information, visit here.

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