FIRST COHORT OF SUBSIDISED THREE-YEAR-OLDS ATTEND PRESCHOOL

Hundreds of preschools across NSW have opened their doors to the first cohort of subsidised three year olds, thanks to a historic investment from the NSW Government to ensure every child has access to two years of quality early childhood education.

Member for Goulburn, Pru Goward said for the first time ever preschool subsidies have been extended to include all three and four-year-olds, saving families across the Goulburn electorate an average of $825 a year.

“Not only does this investment mean better opportunities for children in Goulburn, Yass and the Highlands, it also means parents have more money in their pockets,” Ms Goward said.

Liberal Candidate for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman said this is just one way the NSW Government is improving the cost-of-living for families in the Goulburn electorate and right across the State.

“I look forward to seeing children starting school more equipped with the skills to succeed, thanks to this historic investment,” Ms Tuckerman said.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said universal access to two years of preschool education will provide extensive benefits to both children and the community.

“Funding three-year-olds is an issue that has been raised with me a number of times during my time as Minister, so I am proud the NSW Government is listening and delivering,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The benefits of having two years of quality early childhood education includes better performance throughout primary and high school, as well as longer term benefits like better university and TAFE attendance, and better outcomes post-tertiary education.

“In June last year when the Budget was delivered, NSW was the only state in Australia in the financial position to offer three-year-old preschool subsidies, and I am proud that other states have since followed suit and modelled their policy off ours.”

The NSW Government’s Start Strong program was introduced in 2016 and has already seen significant success for children attending preschool for 600 hours in the year before school – a reduction in average daily fees by 25 per cent and an increase in enrollments by 40 per cent.