Work starts at Weston as Hunter’s 12 new public preschools move into construction

newy.com.au – Construction is now underway on all 12 new public preschools planned for the Hunter, with the start of work at Weston Public School taking the Minns Government’s statewide program past the three-quarter mark.

The government said work has now started on 75 of the 100 new public preschools promised across NSW, including the 12 Hunter sites at Booragul, Cessnock, Ellalong, Gillieston, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Maryland, Nulkaba, Shortland, Tenambit, Teralba and Weston public schools.

Once completed, the Hunter preschools are expected to provide places for up to 1000 children a week across the region. The facilities are being built on public school sites and will include learning areas, staff facilities, kitchens, toilets and landscaped outdoor play spaces.

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car said the expansion would improve access to early learning for families across the state.

“Where your child lives should not limit what they can achieve, and every child should have access to high-quality early learning.

“For far too long, families across the Hunter had limited access to quality early childhood education, and the Liberals failed to deliver a single public preschool during their 12 years in government.

“With construction underway at 75 of our 100 new public preschools, thousands of families across the state will soon have access to high-quality early education close to home.

“Together with our historic investment in school infrastructure, the Minns Labor Government is working hard to give every child in NSW the best start in life.”

Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley said the 12 projects would help meet demand for early learning places in the region and make school drop-offs easier for some families.

“Hunter families have been crying out for more early learning places, and that’s what we’re delivering with 12 new public preschools right across our region.

“For parents in communities like Weston, this means their kids can learn, grow and get ready for school close to home, in facilities built for the future. And for families with big sisters and brothers, it’s making life easier for parents with drop-offs and pick-ups all in one place!

“Construction underway at all 12 Hunter preschools is a big milestone for our region, and proof that the Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering for the Hunter.”

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said Weston Public School and five other school communities in the Cessnock area would soon have new public preschool facilities.

“It’s fantastic that Weston Public School and five other school communities in the Cessnock area will soon welcome a brand-new public preschool, giving local children access to high-quality, fee-free early learning,” he said.

Weston Public School principal Anna Swanson said the school community was “incredibly excited” about the project.

“Families and staff at Weston Public School are incredibly excited about our new preschool and its addition to our learning community,” she said.

The preschool program forms part of the government’s broader school infrastructure pipeline, which it said includes a record $9 billion investment in new schools and upgrades across NSW. In the Hunter, that includes the redevelopment of Gillieston Public School, a new high school for Medowie and new primary and high schools in Huntlee.

The government also said teacher vacancies in NSW public schools were at a 12-year low, with vacancies in Hunter schools down by nearly 75 per cent since 2023.