Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

The Department of Education:

• provides additional subsidies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to attend kindergarten
• delivers kindergarten in remote communities
• supports the Deadly Kindies program in Townsville and South-East Queensland
• funds organisations who provide culturally safe early childhood and family support services
• provides resources to early childhood educators so they can deliver a quality program to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

​Kindergarten

Kindergarten (kindy) is an educational program for children in the year before school. The kindy calculator will let you know when your little one can start kindy.

Kindergarten fees vary depending on the service. Low or no cost kindy is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait ​Islander families. Contact your local kindy or long day care centre to find out more about their fees.

When looking for a kindy in your area, look for the kindy tick​.

Browse the collection of activities and resources that share the importance of culture, early learning and kindergarten participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Kindy in rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Children in remote communities can access kindy through a range of settings, including the local school and childcare centre. Find out if your community is taking part.

Let’s yarn about kindy

Elders and community leaders have been yarning about the importance of culture and education in the early years, especially at kindy. Read and listen to their stories​.

Elders as storytellers

Four Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander Elders from Mackay are working together to spread an important message about early learning for all children as part of the Elders as storytellers campaign. Watch their stories on YouTube.

Deadly Kindies

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in South East Queensland and Townsville can receive a free Deadly Kindy Kit if they have a health check at a participating Aboriginal Medical Service and enrol in kindy.

Early Years Places

Early Years Places support families with children aged from birth to 8 years of age. Families can access multiple services, or referrals to specialist services, including playgroup, early childhood education and care, health services, and family and parenting support.

Foundations for Success

Foundations for Success is an online resource to help early childhood education and care services to deliver a quality early learning program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Kindy songline

The kindy songline​ is about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and the importance of kindy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The songline tells the story of a child's time at kindy and how their family and community are an important part of their kindy experience.

More services

For more services and support visit the Queensland Government website.