The Mobile Preschool Funding Program's objectives is to improve the affordability, quality, and accessibility of preschool education for children in regional and remote NSW, where access to centre-based preschools can be limited.

The program funds providers of mobile preschools to reduce fees, support quality uplift, incentivise increased enrolment and attendance, and drive improved outcomes for children, and recognises the additional costs and unique challenges associated with achieving universal access in regional and remote NSW.

The program operates on a calendar year, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Funding is designed to support quality uplift in preschool education and drive outcomes for children aged 3-5 in the developmentally significant years before school. Funding objectives are closely linked with ensuring equitable access for eligible children:

• Children from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background
• Children from low-income families
• Children with disability and/or additional needs
• Children living in regional or remote areas of NSW
• Children who are at risk of significant harm (from a child protection perspective).

Payments are made to providers at various points, across the preschool delivery year.

Providers of new services can apply for funding at any stage throughout 2026. Interested organisations who would like to apply for funding through the program should review the eligibility criteria and write to the department at ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au to receive a link to the online application.

To be eligible for current funding as a mobile preschool, providers must ensure each service meets all the following criteria:

• be operated by a not-for-profit provider
• be an approved early childhood education and care service under either the Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010 (NSW) or the Children (Education and Care Services) Supplementary Provisions Act 2011 (NSW) and the related regulations
• deliver a quality early childhood education program by a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the requirements under the National Quality FrameworkExternal link, including using the Early Years Learning FrameworkExternal link
• operate predominantly in Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote and Very Remote areas of NSW as measured using the 2011 Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA +) Remoteness Classifications
• operate from venue(s) that are not purpose-built centre-based preschools, or operate as a 'pack away' service at one or more venue(s)
• operate in areas where centre-based preschools and long day cares with preschool programs are not readily available
• accept and comply with the Early Childhood Outcomes Programs - Funding Agreement - Terms and Conditions - 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 (Terms and Conditions)
• exercise best efforts to reach a minimum of 5 eligible children enrolled at each venue
• take reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to all children enrolled at the service.

Note: Mobile preschools which operate solely or predominantly in Major Cities of NSW are not eligible for funding under this program. Mobile preschools in these areas can receive funding under the Start Strong for Community Preschools program, subject to Start Strong eligibility being met.

The department will not provide funding for enrolled hours in a service that are Child Care Subsidy approved.

Providers of services which have been previously approved for funding under the Mobile Preschool Funding Program in earlier years generally do not need to re-complete the application form.

• Email: ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au