An elected Minns Labor Government will invest $60m in new and expanded preschools co-located at non-government schools, to reach universal access to preschool for four-year-olds sooner than the NSW Liberal National Government.
The announcement expands on Labor’s commitment to build 100 public preschools co-located with public primary schools in its first term.
Labor’s plan to build more preschools will boost the availability of preschool places for families, provide stronger connections between early learning and primary education, and help end the double drop-off.
More than one in three NSW students currently attend a non-government school.
At least 50 non-government schools in high-need areas are expected to benefit from the funding.
The funding will be awarded in alignment with the Building Grants Assistance Scheme guidelines, which allocates capital funding to areas of greatest need.
In assessing need, the guidelines consider socio-economic characteristics, demographic student projections, financial need and/or classification as a special school.
The commitment is part of Labor’s plan to take tangible steps towards universal preschool for four year olds before 2030.
The Liberals and Nationals have still not provided a substantive plan to deliver universal preschool by its nominated timeline of 2030.
Under Labor’s plan, every new public primary school will also be built with co-located preschools.
The commitment will be funded from within the NSW Government’s budget allocation of $3.8 billion for early childhood learning initiatives.
There’s a clear choice at the next election when it comes to education in New South Wales.
More of the same chronic teacher shortages, underfunding of schools and under delivering of school infrastructure under Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals.
Or Labor’s plan for a fresh start in education, which includes:
- New co-located preschools, with 100 new public preschools and 50 new and expanded preschools at Catholic and Independent schools;
- Converting 10,000 casual teachers to permanent positions to reduce the reliance on temporary teachers;
- Cutting admin hours for teachers by five hours per week;
- Banning the use of mobile phones in all NSW public schools to reduce distraction, cyberbullying and improve education outcomes;
- Ending the failed overseas recruitment program and redirecting resources towards recruiting NSW teaching students into schools;
- Expanding co-ed school access for all families so every parent has the choice of where to send their children; and
- Labor’s Growth Areas Schools Plan which will deliver new and upgraded schools in growing areas across New South Wales.
Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader:
“Delivering preschools for all four-year-olds is a crucial step in improving education outcomes for our children.
“Working with the non-government sector to build and expand preschools is a tangible and important initiative to deliver universal pre-school for four year olds.
“Parents are sitting on long waiting lists for preschool access worrying if there is space for their children. Our plan will deliver more preschools and get them built quicker.”
Quotes attributable to Prue Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Education & Early Childhood Learning:
“We want the best outcomes for every student in every school. That starts with high quality early education.
“Labor’s plan sets out a tangible way forward to deliver expanded preschool more quickly and improve education outcomes for students.
“The Liberals and Nationals don’t have a comprehensive plan to deliver on universal preschool for four year olds or improve student outcomes.”
Quotes attributable to Sally Quinnell, NSW Labor Candidate for Camden:
“Camden is expected to grow by another 88,000 people over the next 20 years, yet under the Liberal National Government the infrastructure is not keeping up.
“I am proud that a Minns Labor Government will help deliver the infrastructure that working families in the south west need.”
