The NSW Government has committed to one of the biggest education reforms in a generation, announcing the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year of education.
More than $5.8 billion in the 2022/23 NSW Budget has been allocated to begin the delivery of a universal pre-Kindergarten year for all children in NSW by 2030.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this is a landmark investment for NSW families and of a scale that has not been seen before in the southern hemisphere.
“We are helping our youngest of learners to thrive, taking pressure off parents and boosting family budgets by introducing a year of free education before kindergarten,” Ms Cooke said.
“This NSW Government will introduce this incredible reform that will deliver educational benefits for our children and ensure they can have brighter futures.
“This investment is delivering the foundations for a long term, early learning revolution that will make NSW one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the evidence is clear that providing the best education starts in the early years.
“Universal pre-Kindergarten will give every child in NSW access to a specialised year of play based learning, smoothing their transition to school and solidifying their path to a brighter future,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Universal pre-Kindergarten is something I have been working hard to bring to NSW, having seen the benefits of it for children and families in countries like Canada. It is so exciting to know that in NSW we will soon be unleashing the power of universal pre-Kindergarten.”
This transformational new year of preschool education will change and improve, with the help of parents, educators, services and stakeholders, how children enter and prepare for school.
The universal pre-Kindergarten year of education builds on the $1.4 billion already announced to continue and extend affordable preschool to all NSW families.
In addition, the $281 million to boost the early childhood workforce and increase the number of early childhood services across NSW will support families both now, and along the way as the state sets up a universal pre-Kindergarten year of education.
