Free kindy program to benefit thousands

Queensland families with kindergarten-aged children will be able to save a bit more money with a new plan to provide free or cheaper childcare.

From January 1, 2023, eligible families will be able to benefit from the Queensland Government’s $1 billion investment in the state’s kindergartens.

The financial boost will mean 14,000 children will be able to enrol for free kindy in 2023.

Visiting Lady Gowrie Love Street Child Centre in Fortitude Valley on Sunday, Education Minister Grace Grace said around 40,000 families would benefit from free or cheaper early childhood education.

“There’s no two ways about it: the early years are absolutely critical to a child’s future,” Ms Grace said.

“We want Queensland’s kindy services to be both exceptional and accessible, and I don’t want a single family in our state to struggle to send their child to kindy.

“That’s why earlier this year I announced we’d be making kindy free for 14,000 of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and cheaper for another 26,000.”

Ms Grace said 70 per cent of the 58,000 families across Queensland using kindergartens will see a reduction in their fees.

Brisbane mother Kylie Caso said she’ll be able to save about $1500 a year through the scheme while sending her daughter, Gigi, to the Love St centre.

“The last couple of years have been tough and I think I speak for everybody when I say we’re in a different sort of world now with the cost of living,” Ms Caso said.

“It’s just that little bit harder for everything we need and kindergarten is absolutely fundamental to childhood development.

“We can relax a little bit now and do something else with that money.”

Ms Grace said families can now go online to see exactly how much they will save through the Kindy for All program.

“For example, a family that earns $60,000 and holds an Australian Government Health Care Card will benefit from free sessional kindy,” she said

“That will save an average of $4,500 a year.

“If your child attends kindy in a long day care, you have a family income of up to $130,000 and receive Family Tax Benefit, you will save around $500 a year.

“This is significant, targeted, financial support for low to middle income families that will help with the cost-of-living and give more kids a great start in life.

“Kindy really does count, so I encourage Queensland families to jump online, see their savings, and enrol their kids for kindy today.”

Lady Gowrie Queensland general manager Fleur Cossey said kindergarten was a great stepping stone for children as they commence their journey through education.

“(We) look forward to see(ing) how it’s going to provide access for children to kindergarten throughout Queensland and be responsive to the individual needs of families and communities,” Ms Cossey said.

“Early childhood is a fantastic place to support general development and support families in their engagement.

“It makes an outstanding difference for children for their social and emotional skills.”

The kindergarten program funding overhaul, which was announced in February, also includes:

• $38.5 million to help 300 remote and regional services attract and retain early childhood teachers by providing relocation expenses and accommodation assistance
• Doubling the number of services covered by Kindy Uplift to more than 900
• $19 million a year to enhance support for families with children who have a disability or are developmentally vulnerable