More preschool spaces will be available to Deniliquin and district families from Term 4 of this year.

That is the opening date goal for the Deniliquin South Public Preschool, which has opened enrolments now that construction and fit-out is nearing completion.

The NSW Government’s latest update says recent progress includes the installation of finishes, fixtures and fittings, along with furniture and play equipment.

The next steps will see the completion of fit‑out services and all remaining external landscaping and other works.

Co‑located at Deniliquin South Public School, the facility will accommodate up to 40 children per day and provide a high‑quality, play‑based educational program delivered by qualified early childhood teachers and educators.

Preschool sessions will run two to three days per week during school hours, with staffing in line with regulations - an educator to child ratio of at least 1:10.

The program offered at the Deniliquin South Preschool is designed to be affordable, making it easier for families to access early learning, and will follow the Early Years Learning Framework to support a smooth transition to Kindergarten.

Families can now submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for enrolment in Term 4 2026 and the 2027 school year.

Children who turned four years old on or before July 31 2026 can apply for 2026, while those turning four before July 31, 2027 can apply for 2027.

Priority enrolment will be given to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children, children living in low socio‑economic circumstances and children unable to access other early childhood settings due to financial barriers.

Whilst there are no enrolment boundaries for preschool, families within the Deniliquin South catchment area will have priority.

Families can contact Deniliquin South Public School on (03) 5881 2045 for more information or visit the NSW Department of Education website to access the EOI form.

While the development is expected to help ease a long-term problem with access to childcare for local families, more work needs to be done to fill the service gap.

Local studies have indicated there were more than 300 children on local wait lists last year, representing more than 70 per cent of children aged 0-5 without access to formal care.

Since then, Intereach has opened a preschool service at its Deniliquin Family Centre, offering 118 places each week.

Work is also progressing on a 110-place childcare centre to be constructed and run by River Region Early Education.

The Deniliquin South preschool is a government funded project, which was initially promised in 2024.

The exact funding amount for the Deniliquin development has never been revealed. It is one of 100 being delivered under a $769 million initiative.

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Saturday, 25th March 2034

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