The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has begun building 100 new preschools with the aim of doubling their number by 2027 at a cost of US$504m (A$769m).
Construction has begun on the first: Cartwright Public School in South West Sydney.
The campaign will provide new preschool places for 9,000 children.
Just over half of the schools (51) will be in metropolitan Sydney and 49 will be in regional NSW, prioritised in areas of highest need.
Work is due to start on 25 schools this year. Each school will have a kitchen, toilets and landscaped outdoor areas.
The state will also spend US$65m to help community preschools provide more hours for more children, and $39m on building and upgrading 50 preschools at non-government facilities.
$131m will be spent on Aboriginal-led early learning, $11m will go towards capital works and $19m for scholarships to increase the number of early childhood workers.
State premier Chris Minns said: “For too long, families have struggled to find affordable, high-quality early learning close to home. We’re changing that, building public preschools right alongside public schools to make life easier for parents and give every child the opportunity to thrive.
“The former government didn’t build a single public preschool in twelve years.”
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