Have your say on NSW landmark early childhood education change

Friday, 30 September 2022

The NSW Government is calling on all families and the wider community to have their say on the historic commitment to provide families with high-quality, free early childhood education across the state.

The centrepiece of the NSW Government Early Years Commitment will see the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year by 2030. In addition, the NSW Government will be supporting the creation of more childcare places through the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the public consultation around these two landmark initiatives is an important milestone in the design and development process to drive change in early childhood education.

“This is an exciting first step towards transforming early childhood education and care in NSW as we know it,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We are calling on families and educators to provide their feedback on what they need in their local communities, and to share their views on what they want for the future of our youngest children.

“This is the initial consultation with the public, and over the next few months we will share more detailed plans for further consultation for those interested in these programs.

“I look forward to reviewing the submissions and working hard so that we have an early childhood education system that is above anything Australia has seen.”

Find out more about the Early Years Commitment at education.nsw.gov.au/early-years-commitment and have your say on the Fund and universal pre-Kindergarten.

Submissions are open until Friday 14 October 2022.

The NSW Government is investing more than $15 billion in early childhood commitments announced as part of the 2022-23 budget to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW. Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschools subsidies, the NSW Liberal & National Government is ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.