Schools across the state are facing their first major increase in the school-aged population since the baby boom of the 1950s, according to a statement from NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell.

"In 2020, we'll see a once-in-a-generation spike in school enrolments," she said.

"We are responding to this population growth by ramping up work on our unprecedented $6.7 billion investment in school infrastructure (over four years), with $900 million of work to be delivered between January and the end of June this year."

Most students returned to school this week while kindergarten students will start their school careers on Wednesday February 5.

Hastings Public School principal Jodie Paterson said the school is committed to a sense of caring, engagement and enjoyment of learning.

"We're looking at about 75 kindergarten enrolments for 2020," she said. "We always get a few extras as well and that equates to around four full classes," she said.

"We're really committed to motivating kids to enjoy learning and embrace all the opportunities they are opened to.

"We have wonderful staff who are ready to get back into the year and inject lots of fun into learning.

"Our belief is that if our kids are happy and they feel cared for, then they'll learn well."

About 497,000 primary school students and 318,000 high school students are enrolled across the state for 2020 and 71,000 starting kindergarten.

There will be an additional 130,000 extra students expected to be in NSW public schools by 2036, according to Department of Education statistics.

Lake Cathie Public School principal Jock Garven said availability of land and building sites has seen growth in enrolments.

"We haven't confirmed enrolments but in terms of the growth corridor at the Lake Cathie area we started in 2015 with 81 delightful students and we're starting 2020 with 320 delightful students," he said.

"There is certainly significant positive growth and I guess we are meeting the needs our local children and their families.

"It's great to see the level of choice in the community for schooling and but also great to see the success of public schools providing that level of opportunity for everyone and anyone.

"Government are putting huge amounts of dollars to support infrastructure programs across the state obviously seeing large increases of student population entering the schooling system."

Beechwood Public School relieving principal Tracey Bromfield said nearby housing developments were having a positive impact on enrolment numbers.

"There are a lot of new housing developments out here so numbers look like going up into the future," she said.

"Numbers do fluctuate but we think that we will have one and half kindergarten classes so far for the year. It is gradually increasing with development and younger families in our zoned area.

"We're thriving and we celebrated our 150th year in 2019. We've come a long way."

The NSW government has also recently committed $20 million to repair all 178 schools affected by bushfires across the state, including Bobin Public School on the Mid North Coast.

Students will also be guided by new digital device policies introduced in NSW public schools this year.

Primary school students will not have access to smartphones, smartwatches, iPads and laptops during class, recess and lunch unless for an educational purposes, according to the new rules.

Principals will have the option to place device restrictions at high schools.

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