The department operates 100 preschools. 62 preschools are located in the Sydney metropolitan area and 38 are in regional and rural areas. Eleven preschools are designated specifically for Aboriginal children and another 13 are in Aboriginal communities or in schools where there is a significantly high number of Aboriginal students enrolled.

Aligned to Our Plan for Public Education, it is the department’s intent that public preschools give children the best start in learning.

Public preschools provide secure, positive, and stimulating learning environments guided by the Early Years Learning Framework to help all children make a strong start in life and learning and experience a successful transition to school.

Universal access to early childhood education ensures that every child can participate in a quality preschool program in the year before school. Programs are to be delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher for 15 hours per week or 600 hours per year, with a focus on Aboriginal, vulnerable or disadvantaged children.

Leading and operating public preschool guidelines

The Leading and operating public preschool guidelines (Staff only) support the leadership and operations of public preschools.

Public preschool program and practice

Information and resources to support public preschools to meet the programming and practice requirements (Staff only) of the National Quality Standard.