As a parent, giving your child the best start in life is always top of mind. In the Sutherland Shire—especially in suburbs like Menai, Bangor, Alfords Point and surrounds—ensuring your little one has access to quality early childhood education is not just a dream, but a growing reality. Thanks to the NSW Government’s Start Strong program, families are seeing profound changes in how kindergarten is delivered, accessed and afforded across our local community.
Understanding the Start Strong Program
The Start Strong initiative, led by the NSW Department of Education, is designed to make quality preschool education more accessible and affordable for all children in New South Wales. It provides funding to long day care centres and community preschools, allowing them to reduce fees and extend learning opportunities for three- to five-year-olds. With a focus on inclusivity and equal opportunity, the program aims to ensure every child can attend at least 600 hours of early learning a year—setting them up for success at school and beyond.
What Does This Mean for Menai & Sutherland Shire Families?
The Sutherland Shire is home to many excellent early learning centres, from Menai through to Engadine and beyond. For local parents, the Start Strong program translates into real savings and greater flexibility when choosing a preschool or long day care option. By providing direct funding to service providers, the initiative enables them to lower the out-of-pocket cost for families—sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
For example, parents of kindergarten-age children attending participating centres in Menai may notice a significant drop in weekly fees, making it easier for every family—regardless of background or circumstance—to prioritise quality early education.
Quality Learning, Closer to Home
One of the greatest advantages of the Start Strong program is that it supports both community preschools and long day care services. This means more choice for parents, whether you need flexible hours around work or prefer a traditional preschool setting. Children in Menai and nearby suburbs benefit from passionate educators, tailored learning programs and social experiences that set them up for a smooth transition to big school.
With Start Strong funding, centres can invest more in resources, training and inclusive programs—helping children of all abilities and backgrounds thrive in a safe, nurturing environment close to home.
How to Access the Program
Accessing Start Strong is easy. Simply check with your local early learning centre to see if they’re participating. Most centres in the Sutherland Shire are on board, but it’s always best to ask. The staff can explain how the funding is applied and what it means for your fees.
The Road Ahead
As the Sutherland Shire community continues to grow, the Start Strong program is ensuring no child is left behind. By reducing financial barriers and increasing access to quality kindergarten, local families can feel confident that their children are getting the best possible start—right here in Menai and its surrounds.
Now, more than ever, the path to a bright future begins close to home.