NSW has become the first state in Australia to subsidise all three-year-olds in community preschools, under the $200 investment program. 

The program ensures that every child in NSW has access to two years of early childhood education before primary school. 

“Not only does this investment mean better educational opportunities for children right across the State, it also means that on average, families will save $825 on preschool fees this year alone,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. 

The program was introduced in 2016 as the Start Strong program, which initially only subsidised funding for one year of preschool. Since its introduction, attendance figures have improved and daily fees have dropped. 

“Participation rates have increased by more than 40 per cent for children enrolled for 600 hours, and average daily fees decreased by 25 per cent,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said the subsidised two years of preschool education benefits both children and the community. 

“We know that two years of quality early childhood education leads to better performance throughout primary and high school, as well as better university and TAFE attendance, and better outcomes post-tertiary education,” Ms Mitchell said.