Tooleybuc Preschool doubles capacity with new NSW government-funded extension

The town of Tooleybuc celebrated a major milestone recently.

The official opening of a new extension to its community preschool was held.

This extension doubles the facility's capacity, providing crucial early learning opportunities for local families.

The $373,750 NSW Government investment through the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program has enabled Tooleybuc Preschool to expand from accommodating 25 children daily to 50, addressing long-standing waiting lists and accessibility challenges faced by families in the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NSW Department of Education's Senior Program Officer Donna Brooks emphasised the transformative impact for the community.

"We know that access to early learning is crucial, especially in regional and rural areas," she said.

"Many families here have faced waiting lists and challenges in accessing affordable early childhood education.

"That's why today is so important."

The NSW Government says for small rural communities like Tooleybuc, access to quality early childhood education can be particularly challenging.

Limited capacity often means families must travel significant distances or join lengthy waiting lists, creating barriers to children's educational development during their most critical learning years.

The expansion addresses this gap at a crucial time.

Research consistently shows that 90 per cent of brain development occurs before age five, making structured, play-based early learning programmes essential for building the social, emotional, and cognitive skills children need throughout their lives.

"This extension is a testament to what can be achieved when government and community work hand in hand to deliver outcomes that matter," Brooks told the gathered families and community members.

"And this facility will serve not just today's children, but many generations to come."

Pictured at last week's official opening are (from left) Donna Brooks, from the NSW Department of Education, Tooleybuc Preschool Director Larissa Andrews and Bronwyn Hogan, who was a project manager. Image: NSW Government.