Open NowNon-Profit2026
2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools — NSW
Up to $550M available · Rolling Applications
Department of Education
The Start Strong for Community Preschools program provides funding to eligible community and mobile preschools in New South Wales to deliver affordable, quality preschool education for children aged 3 to 5 years. Funding supports operating costs and fee relief to help services provide at least 600 hours of preschool per year.
Funding
Up to $550M
Deadline
Rolling / Ongoing
Duration
up to 1 year
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Be a not-for-profit community preschool or mobile preschool service
• Be an approved early childhood education and care service under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and National Regulations
• Deliver a quality early childhood education program by a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Quality Framework and using the Early Years Learning Framework
• Accept and comply with the Early Childhood Outcomes Programs – Funding Agreement – Terms and Conditions for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026
• Take reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to all enrolled children
• Must not seek funding for enrolled hours in a service that are Child Care Subsidy approved
• Demonstrate service eligibility during the application process
• Demonstrate at least one of: local need and demand for community preschool, or an existing approved Department grant to deliver community preschool
• Demonstrate the proposed number of preschool places to be created
• Demonstrate capability to provide affordable early education for families, including a compliant fee structure and evidence of financial viability
• Demonstrate value for money in use of funds
To be eligible for current funding as a community or mobile preschool, providers must ensure each service is a not-for-profit community preschool or mobile preschool service; is an approved early childhood education and care service under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and National Regulations; delivers a quality early childhood education program by a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Quality Framework and using the Early Years Learning Framework; accepts and complies with the Early Childhood Outcomes Programs – Funding Agreement – Terms and Conditions for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026; and takes reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to all children enrolled at the service. The department will not provide funding for enrolled hours in a service that are Child Care Subsidy approved. During the application process, organisations must demonstrate service eligibility and at least one of local need and demand for community preschool or an existing approved Department grant to deliver community preschool. They must also demonstrate the proposed number of preschool places to be created, capability to provide affordable early education for families including a compliant fee structure and financial viability documentation, and value for money.
What's Funded
Funding supports the operating expenses of eligible community and mobile preschool services and provides fee relief to reduce the cost of early childhood education for families through fee pass-through arrangements.Before you apply
Check 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools fit and evidence gaps before 31 Dec 2026
Use this non-profit grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.
Get a 48-hour grant fit auditExpected Outcomes
Affordable and accessible preschool education, improved quality uplift in preschool education, increased enrolment and attendance, and delivery of at least 600 hours per year or 15 hours per week of quality preschool education for enrolled children.Key Information
Applicant Types
non_profit
Stage
established
Funding Purposes
communitytrainingother
Keywords
preschoolearly childhood educationcommunity preschoolmobile preschoolfee reliefoperating costsNew South Waleschildren
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools?
The 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools is a non-profit grant offered by Department of Education in Australia, providing Up to $550M in funding. The Start Strong for Community Preschools program provides funding to eligible community and mobile preschools in New South Wales to deliver affordable, quality preschool education for children aged 3 to 5 years. Funding supports operating costs and fee relief to help services provide at least 600 hours of preschool per year.
2
How much funding does the 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools provide?
The 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools provides Up to $550M in funding. The typical project duration is up to 1 year.
3
Who is eligible for the 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools?
- Be a not-for-profit community preschool or mobile preschool service
- Be an approved early childhood education and care service under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and National Regulations
- Deliver a quality early childhood education program by a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Quality Framework and using the Early Years Learning Framework
- Accept and comply with the Early Childhood Outcomes Programs – Funding Agreement – Terms and Conditions for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026
- Take reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to all enrolled children
- Must not seek funding for enrolled hours in a service that are Child Care Subsidy approved
- Demonstrate service eligibility during the application process
- Demonstrate at least one of: local need and demand for community preschool, or an existing approved Department grant to deliver community preschool
- Demonstrate the proposed number of preschool places to be created
- Demonstrate capability to provide affordable early education for families, including a compliant fee structure and evidence of financial viability
- Demonstrate value for money in use of funds
4
When does the 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools close?
Applications close on 31 Dec 2026. This is a rolling program — new rounds may open.
5
What activities are funded?
Funding supports the operating expenses of eligible community and mobile preschool services and provides fee relief to reduce the cost of early childhood education for families through fee pass-through arrangements.
6
How do I apply for the 2026 Start Strong for Community Preschools?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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