First of 100 new NSW preschools to be built in Illawarra and Shoalhaven

Nine new preschools will be built in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

The Illawarra and Shoalhaven will be the first locations in NSW to receive their allocation of the NSW Government’s 100 new preschools.

The government announced on Tuesday (27 August) that tenders for 85 preschools will be released by the end of the year, starting next month with six in the Illawarra and three in the Shoalhaven.

The $769 million commitment to build 100 new public preschools by 2027 will allow up to 9000 additional children to benefit from early childhood education in the year before school.

The co-located preschools will be built at Barrack Heights, Berkeley West, Cringila, Hayes Park, Lake Heights and Lake Illawarra South public schools. In the Shoalhaven, preschools will be built at Bomaderry, Greenwell Point and Sanctuary Point public schools.

Education and Early Learning Minister Prue Car said the government was committed to building schools and preschools for communities that needed them.

“With this record pipeline of tenders and projects going to market, we are getting on with the job of delivering new schools and new facilities quicker,” she said.

“We are seeking broad industry participation to enable school projects to be delivered more quickly and affordably, while minimising the impact on school communities during construction.

“Delivering our record investment in schools and preschools is part of the Minns Government commitment to the best start in life for every child.”

The government has also announced a Pattern Book will be released next month to reduce costs and accelerate delivery timeframes for the pipeline of new and upgraded schools across the state.

To be released next month, the Pattern Book will include detailed guidance to industry on consistent, repeatable designs for new school and preschool builds, which will enable increased use of the Modern Methods of Construction program, such as prefabrication and off-site manufacturing.

The Pattern Book will continue to be improved over the remainder of 2024 to reflect education and industry feedback.