NSW government promises to build 500 new preschools in four years if re-elected

The preschools will be used to deliver the new free year of preschool schooling for four- and five-year-olds. (AAP: James Ross)

The government has promised to build 500 new preschools in New South Wales in the next parliamentary term, if it wins this month's election. 

The new preschools are designed for the rollout of the free, universal pre-kindergarten year for all four-and five-year-olds, which is set to be in place by 2030.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the significant education reform in June last year, in conjunction with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

At the time, the state government pledged $5.8 billion over 10 years to deliver the pre-kindergarten year.

The government says $1 billion of the allocated funds will be used to build the 500 new preschools, and if it is re-elected, construction will start in the second half of this year.

The premier says the new preschools will help to cut childcare waiting lists. (ABC News)

Mr Perrottet says the building works are being fast-tracked.

"More than a third of communities across the state are experiencing an undersupply of childcare centres, with families facing long waitlists, or long commutes to the nearest centre," he said.

"That is why we will accelerate the program, and get shovels in the ground this year to deliver the first 500 new preschools within four years, cutting childcare waiting lists and getting our kids learning sooner."

Of the 500 new centres, 97 will be built in Western Sydney and more than 350 will be built in regional areas.

A trial of the pre-kindergarten year is starting this month in 71 existing day care and kindergarten facilities.

The 2023 NSW election explained.(Ashleigh Raper)

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says the new preschool will be purpose-built for the pre-kindergarten year.

"Universal pre-kindergarten will require 100,000 places for our youngest learners, and we will deliver 50,000 in the next four years on school sites alone," she said.

NSW Labor supports the government's plan to introduce a universal pre-kindergarten year.

It has promised to build 150 new preschools to deliver the education reform in the next parliamentary term, if the party is elected.

All the preschools will be built on school sites, 100 within the grounds of government schools and 50 at non-government schools.