An artist’s impression of Worrigee Public Preschool, which will accommodate up to 120 children a week. Image: NSW Government.
Work has begun on the NSW Government’s 100th new preschool, marking a milestone in the largest expansion of the public education system in the state’s history.
Set to host the 100th public preschool is Worrigee on the South Coast, where a facility for up to 120 children a week is under construction alongside a new public primary school to meet the growing education needs of the South Nowra and Worrigee regions.
The school will feature three modern learning spaces, a kitchen, dedicated staff facilities and outdoor play areas, while the preschool will have separate access.
“With our 100th public preschool officially under construction, families on the South Coast are one step closer to having a brand-new, free public preschool and a primary school next door,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“This is not just a line item in the budget. Every dollar we put into our public education system is an investment in the next generation and our state’s future.”
Worrigee Public will welcome students from next year.
South Nowra has seen a 150 per cent increase in new homes over the past decade, bringing a significant growth in the demand for education.
Once the new school is unveiled, it will relieve pressure on Nowra East Public and Nowra Public schools while also easing traffic in the area by reducing parents’ travel across suburbs.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said: “Parents want to know their child is getting the best possible start in life, and that means investing in access to high-quality public education close to home.
“South Coast families are seeing that investment firsthand, with new public preschools and a brand-new public primary school being delivered for the growing Worrigee and South Nowra communities.”
The South Coast has received more than $250 million in investment from the State Government for new and upgraded schools. This included:
- A new public preschool at Sanctuary Point.
- A new public preschool at Greenwell Point.
- An upgrade to Nowra East Public.
- An upgrade to Vincentia High.
- An upgrade to Ulladulla High and Ulladulla Public.
- An upgrade to Milton Public High.
Work is underway at Worrigee, and all 100 new public preschools are on track to open by early 2027. Of the 100 schools, 49 are in regional areas, while 51 are in greater Sydney.
Once the new preschools are completed, up to 9000 children across the state will be able to access fee-free education that the government described as world-class.
The new schools are part of a general education investment, with $769 million for new public preschools, $2.3 billion over the next four years for new and upgraded schools in the regions, and a record $9.2 billion school infrastructure budget.
