2026 Mobile Preschool Funding program

The Mobile Preschool Funding program objectives are 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.

Providers of new services can apply for funding at any stage throughout 2026. Interested organisations who would like to apply should review the eligibility criteria before completing this application form. The current program guidelines can be found here.

Organisations will need to demonstrate their eligibility for funding during the application process (See Section 3.1 service eligibility criteria), as well as:

• analysis of local need and demand
• proposed number of preschool places to be created
• capability to provide affordable early education for families
• value for money

Providers will be asked to upload evidence to support their application. Individual child information is not collected at this point of the application. 

A preview of the application form is available via the menu on the left-hand side. The form can be saved while in progress and returned to at a later stage by logging into SmartyGrants. For help with completing application forms in SmartyGrants, including information on uploading files, please click here.

The NSW Department of Education (the department) will assess all information provided in this application form and will conduct internal analysis to determine eligibility as per the program guidelines. The approval of funding applications and provision of ongoing funding is at the discretion of the department's Early Childhood Outcomes division.

For support with this application, please contact the department by emailing ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au or calling 1800 619 113.

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• submission of this application does not guarantee that funding will be granted and the department expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion and in accordance with the 2026 Mobile Preschool Funding program guidelines;
• they must bear any costs of preparing and submitting this application and the department does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected;
• they have fully informed themselves of the relevant program requirements by reading the 2026 Mobile Preschool Funding program guidelines.

The NSW Department of Education (department) is collecting the personal information you provide via this form, including names, position title, phone number and email. You don’t have to provide this information, however if you do not, the department may be unable to process your application under the 2026 Mobile Preschool Funding Program guidelines.

The department uses the personal information to process the application, administer the Mobile Preschool Funding program, assist future policy and program development and exercise the department’s statutory and government functions (including reporting). If personal information is shared with third party contractors, they can only use it for those purposes.

Your personal information will not be shared with any others unless authorised by law or with your consent. 

You can withdraw consent to the department’s use or disclosure of your personal information at any time by contacting the department, however the department may be no longer able to provide the funding.

Your personal information will be held and managed by the department in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW), and subject to the department’s Privacy Policy. For further information, please see the department’s Privacy Management Plan.

You have the right to access or amend your personal information by emailing ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au or legal.privacy@det.nsw.edu.au. Alternatively, you can write to Legal Services – Privacy, Department of Education GPO Box 33, Sydney NSW 2001.

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 Framework, including using the Early Years Learning Framework
• 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.

By proceeding with this application, I confirm that:

• I have read, understood and agree to the above Disclaimer, and I acknowledge the above Privacy Notice;
• I have read the 2026 Mobile Preschool Funding program guidelines; and
• The service meets the service eligibility criteria as outlined above.