Every child in NSW to access preschool thanks to $840 million funding deal

A huge new funding deal for families will touch every child in NSW and give parents more opportunity to participate in the workforce.

Every child in NSW will be able to attend preschool under a historic new deal delivering $840m in funding for families.

The federal government’s national preschool reform agreement - which NSW has become the first to sign - will help provide children with at least 15 hours of preschooling each week in the year before they start school.

The federal government has committed $560m in funding, while the NSW government has pledged more than $280m.

The commonwealth is urging other states to also sign up to the four-year deal ahead of the 2022 preschool year.

A new $840m funding deal for NSW families will give more children access to preschool. Picture: Alex Coppel.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said getting more children into preschool not only gave them a better start in life, but allowed parents to participate more in the workforce.

“This is a game changing deal for families in NSW, providing parents and carers the freedom to participate in the workforce in ways that better suit their needs,” Mr Kean said.

“Investing in our people, our families and our kids will help us grow today’s economy by increasing workforce participation rates and it will help our future prosperity by giving our kids the best possible start in life.”

The NSW government is also delivering targeted programs for children who experience disadvantage with a focus on increasing engagement by kids and their families.