Tamworth among first of 49 new public preschools rolling out across regional NSW

The NSW Government has confirmed that Tamworth will be among the first regional communities to benefit from a major expansion of public preschool infrastructure, with construction now underway on a new service co-located at Tamworth Public School.

The project forms part of a broader commitment to deliver 49 new public preschools across regional New South Wales, aimed at improving access to affordable, high-quality early learning for families outside metropolitan areas.

The Tamworth preschool will be purpose-built on school grounds, featuring modern indoor learning environments, outdoor play spaces, and facilities designed to support a strong transition into primary school. Once operational, the service will offer fee-free preschool places for local families.

The Tamworth development is one of the first projects to progress under the Government’s plan to significantly expand the public preschool network across the state.

In total, 100 new public preschools are planned, with nearly half located in regional communities where access to early learning has historically been more limited.

The rollout is being targeted to areas experiencing high demand, limited availability of affordable places, and barriers to participation, with a clear focus on ensuring children can access early learning regardless of where they live.

A key feature of the expansion is the co-location model, which places preschools on existing public school sites.

This approach is designed to:

• support continuity of learning between early childhood and the early years of schooling
• simplify daily routines for families with multiple children
• enable closer collaboration between early childhood educators and school staff
• create integrated community hubs that better support children and families

For regional centres such as Tamworth, the investment is also expected to generate local economic benefits, including job creation in early childhood education and increased workforce participation as families gain access to reliable, affordable preschool options.

The commencement of construction in Tamworth signals the beginning of a significant shift in early childhood provision across regional NSW.

As additional projects move into delivery, the expansion is expected to substantially increase public early learning capacity,  particularly in communities where families have faced long waiting lists or limited service availability.

The initiative reflects a growing policy focus on the role of early childhood education in supporting school readiness, strengthening family wellbeing, and improving long-term educational outcomes.

Read more on the NSW Government website about the Tamworth preschool rollout.