Kindy

Kindy is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year and is free for Queensland children attending a government-approved kindergarten program from 1 January 2024. Families should speak to their local kindergarten program provider regarding the start date of their child's 2025 kindergarten program.

Each long day care determines when their kindy program commences.

Most kindergarten commencement dates align to the start of the school year. This allows existing children to transition to school and new children to transition into the Kindy program.

Services providing free kindy should automatically pass on free kindy savings to families. Families should confirm with their service when the kindy program starts for their child.

Any families not receiving free kindergarten after commencement of their kindy program should speak with their service provided in the first instance but can contact the Department of Education’s kindy funding team by emailing kindyfunding@qed.qld.gov.au if they require further assistance.

Starting kindy is an important milestone in a child’s life and making the move to somewhere new takes time.

Creating a positive experience and successful transition for children as they move from home or early learning into kindy, sets the foundation for their learning, wellbeing and development.

Families can access fun and helpful activities and games designed to help prepare children for kindy.

Check if your child is eligible to begin kindy and enrol in kindy. Use the Free Kindy Finder above to locate a government-approved free kindy near you and contact them to enrol today.

Yes. Kindy is now free for all eligible kindy-aged children who attend a government-approved free kindergarten program in a sessional kindergarten or long day care service.

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 in the early years of learning.

This significant funding injection means we are setting children up for a strong future.

Yes. If a child attends kindy in a long day care, families will need to pay for the hours of care before and after the kindy program. These costs may be covered in part by the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy. The Queensland Government funds 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year of free kindy.

Information about free kindy is available in a range of languages. Visit the kindy resources page to download materials in your language.

Unvaccinated eligible-aged children are able to participate in an approved kindergarten program at a sessional kindergarten or long day care service and receive free kindy funding. The decision to enrol an unvaccinated child is for the Approved Provider in accordance with their enrolment policies. Visit the immunisation page for more information.

Children of families on Refugee and Humanitarian visas can access free kindy. Children of families with a temporary resident visa which is exempt from State School fees as listed on the Department's International schedule of visa subclasses and enrolment conditions (PDF, 266KB) will also be eligible for free kindergarten.