A new trial of the NSW Government’s Free Pre-Kindergarten program will begin its trial within the Western Plains in 2023, with the aim to provide the program to all students across the state by 2030.

Six local towns inside a boundary guided by Coonamble, Bourke and Cobar have been recognised alongside four other areas (Mt Druitt, Wagga Wagga, and Kempsy-Nambucca) across the state as high priority areas for the pre-kindergarten program; a preschool program running 5 days a week that will be provided to NSW families at no cost. 

Early childcare centres and local schools are being encouraged to apply to be a part of the pilot that will begin in all seven towns in early 2023. 



NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra welcomed the program, which is based on international early child education models.

"The NSW Government has the responsibility to provide free pre-schooling as part of the broader public provision of primary and secondary education.

"Currently, NSW has only 100 public preschools across 1700 public primary school sites.

Under a $5.8 billion 10-year investment, the program is designed to provide a free preschool model for every child across the state by 2030. 

The boundaries of locations eligible to apply within the regions (Department of Education)

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said families and services in the first stage of the universal pre-K reforms will help shape the rollout of the initiative across the state. 

“This first stage of universal pre-Kindergarten will allow us to gather crucial information ahead of implementation of the program across NSW,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We are continuing to work collaboratively with families, peak bodies, service providers and schools to develop the best model of universal pre-Kindergarten for NSW.” 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said that the initiative will hopefully go a long way towards alleviating the chronic shortage of childcare and early childhood learning centres in regional areas. 

“It needs to be part of a broader strategy to increase early childhood staff and services right across the state. The government was already behind, this is just playing catchup,” Mr Butler said. 

With Bourke, Cobar and Coonamble identified as one location, it is unclear how many pilot programs will be taking place within the region as of next year.