In a historic step for Queensland education and early learning, kindergarten will be free for Queensland families. Kindy will be free for eligible-aged children who attend a government-approved program offering free kindy from 1 January 2024.
Families will benefit from free kindy regardless of whether they attend a sessional kindergarten or kindergarten in long day care. Free kindy is for the 15-hour-a-week kindergarten program (600 hours a year) delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Free kindy from 2024 will remove cost as a barrier to participation and improve educational outcomes for Queensland children. The department will work closely with the early childhood sector to introduce free kindy from 1 January 2024. All kindergartens will have the opportunity to offer free kindy.
Requirements in the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Essentials, such as eligibility and subsidies, remain current until 31 December 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is free kindy?
The Queensland Government is making historic changes to the way kindergarten is funded. Kindy will be free from 1 January 2024 for Queensland families.
Kindy will be free for eligible-aged children who attend a government-approved program offering free kindy from 1 January 2024.
This means that whether a child attends a sessional kindergarten, or kindergarten in a long daycare service, the kindergarten program will be free.
What is kindy?
Kindy is a government-approved kindergarten program delivered 15 hours a week or 600 hours a year by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Will kindy be free for all families?
All kindergartens will have the opportunity to offer free kindy. The department will work with the early childhood sector to ensure all eligible kindy-aged children receive access to kindy for free for 15 hours a week or 600 hours a year.
What if a parent chooses to send their child to kindy on a private school site?
All kindergartens will have the opportunity to offer free kindy. The kindergarten program is for 15 hours a week or 600 hours a year delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
When will free kindy be introduced?
Free kindy is part of the kindy funding reform package and will begin on 1 January 2024.
Does this change what families can access now?
Families enrolled in 2023 receive the current Queensland Kindergarten Funding, which is making the cost of kindy free or cheaper for many families.
How many children will benefit?
In 2023, 14,000 children receive free kindy. With the introduction of free kindy in 2024, more than 50,000 additional children will have access to free kindy.
Why is the government investing in free kindy?
We know a quality kindergarten program offers lifelong benefits.
Free access to kindergarten means every child has equal access and opportunity for a strong start. This significant funding injection means we are setting them up for a strong future.
This investment recognises and values the importance of the early years.
Does a kindy need to meet any criteria to be able to advertise their kindy is free from 2024?
All kindergartens will have the opportunity to offer free kindy. More information will be provided to services about this process.
If a child attends a kindy in a long daycare for a 10-hour day, will the 10 hours be free?
No. The free component is for the kindy program hours only. The kindergarten program is for 15 hours a week or 600 hours a year government-approved free kindy program.
Is kindy in long daycare for 5 hours a day?
Different long daycare centres will have different approaches to delivering the kindy program. You will need to speak to your local kindy program provider.
How will we ensure there are enough places for all children to attend kindergarten?
The department will work with the sector to develop localised solutions and place-based responses to meet children’s and families educational needs.
How will the government ensure that services pass on the savings to families?
Services will have the opportunity to offer free kindy. As part of the 2024 terms and conditions of their service agreement, services will be required to pass on the savings to families.
The department also has a robust assurance process to ensure that all families can access the benefit of free kindy.
How will children with a disability be supported to access kindy?
Kindergarten services will have even more access to resources that support the inclusion of all Queensland children in a kindergarten program.
Early childhood teachers and educators will have the right supports to create a positive quality early learning program for each and every child in Queensland.
How are you supporting all children to fully access and participate in a kindergarten program?
Kindergarten services are able to utilise their Inclusion-ready funding to support children to feel welcome and included at kindy.
Services receiving Kindy Uplift can access funding to help deliver programs, resources, support and professional development to build educator capability. This helps strengthens cultural responsiveness and improve children’s learning and development.
Reference:
Free Kindergarten in Queensland from 2024, Queensland Government Early Childhood Education and Care
