Local families are now a step closer to getting more public preschools, with the NSW Government revealing Oatlands is next on the list to receive a fast-tracked facility.
Oatlands Public School has been chosen as the site for one of the State Government’s new 100 public preschools.
The facility will be co-located at the school and will provide places for up to 80 children a week.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car made the announcement during a visit to the local school today (March 11).
“We are committed to improving access so that local families have access to high-quality early learning education close to home,” she said.
“To ensure we continue to deliver for families in western Sydney, we are prioritising the delivery of the Oatlands preschool to open in Term 1 2027.
It follows news that the site of another preschool in the nearby precinct of Carter Street, Lidcombe, has been delayed due to legal issues between the local council and developer of Carter Street.
“We know a new preschool is also needed at Lidcombe and we will continue to work hard towards delivering for this area and will continue to share information as the project progresses,” Car added.
The NSW Government said Oatlands was chosen from the list of reserve locations selected by an independent assessment panel as an area of identified need for public preschool places.
Oatlands Public School Principal Kim Gould welcomed the news.
“Establishing a new preschool at Oatlands Public School is incredibly exciting,” she said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the younger children in our community to learn and grow in a nurturing and engaging environment, setting a strong foundation for their future education.”
The Oatlands public preschool is part of an NSW Government promise to deliver 100 new public preschools over the next two years.
The first new public preschool opened at Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool in October 2024, with a further 48 to be delivered in growing Sydney’s west, north west and south west with design and construction contracts due to be awarded in the coming months.
The new public preschools will provide up to an additional 9,000 children with access to high quality early learning by 2027.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.