Thousands of Central Coast children will have access to free preschool sooner if a Liberal Government is re-elected on March 25, with the Government pledging to accelerate the rollout of its $5.8B one-year free Kindergarten program.
The commitment would bring forward $1B to commence construction on the first of the new preschools in the state in the second half of this year, with the first 500 on public school sites to be completed within four years.
By 2030, every child in NSW would have access to a full year of free, play-based learning in the year before school, with a Liberal Government also set to legislate the right to one-year free pre-Kindergarten in its next term.
Liberal Candidate for Gosford Dee Bocking said new pre-schools would be coming for Ettalong, Gosford East and Kariong public schools.
“This is a game changer for working parents and businesses but most importantly for our kids getting a head start in their social and educational interactions,” Bocking said.
Liberal candidate for The Entrance Nathan Bracken said new pre-schools were on the way for Berkeley Vale, Narara and Niagara Park public schools in his electorate.
“The free pre-Kindergarten will lead the country in providing a new educational experience for our kids and invest in families for generations to come,” he said.
In the Terrigal electorate, sitting Member Adam Crouch said Woodport Public School would have a new preschool connected to it.
“This is a true reflection of the Government’s focus on empowering local communities,” he said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the move would kick-start learning for tens of thousands of children across the state, setting them up for future success.
“(Our) program will give every single child access to free, high-quality learning in the year before they start school,” he said.
“We know there is significant demand for childcare and preschool services across NSW, with many families facing long waitlists or long commutes to the nearest facility.
“That is why we will accelerate the program and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, making it easier for working parents and getting our kids learning sooner.
“The benefits of this are huge.
“Not only are we giving our kids a head start in life by kick-starting their early learning, we’re giving more time back to busy parents.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said universal pre-Kindergarten will help grow the economy by setting children up for lifelong financial success.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Government had been able to identify and assess initial sites faster than anticipated.
“Labor’s commitment of 150 ‘new or upgraded’ preschools creates less than 6,000 places – a drop in the ocean compared to the 100,000 our universal pre-Kindergarten plans will deliver,” she said.
Source:
Media release, Mar 7
NSW Liberal Party