Free Kindy in 2024 - Enrol Now | C&K - childcare and kindergarten

Free Kindy in 2024 - Enrol Now

At C&K, everyone belongs

C&K is Queensland’s largest early childhood education and care provider with more than 115 years’ experience providing industry leading programs. We have more than 300 community kindergartens and 39 childcare centres throughout QLD and our team of dedicated educators and teachers nurture and support children to learn, play, grow and flourish. C&K provides quality kindergarten programs in both childcare services and community kindergartens for four year olds.  We work with our children and families to create caring and vibrant learning communities, where children flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning.

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About C&K's kindy program

C&K's structured, play-based kindergarten program is led by university qualified teachers for children in the year before they attend school. Children attend kindergarten or a kindergarten program in childcare for up to 30 hours per fortnight, for the school calendar year (which is 41 weeks in 2024).  C&K's kindergarten program focuses on helping children to develop a wide range of essential skills and prepares them for their transition to school.

C&K's community kindergartens are usually open for approximately six hours per day, for example 8.30am to 2.30pm, five days per fortnight (3 days one week and 2 days the following week) but can vary depending on the kindy.  A community kindergarten group has up to 22 children, who are turning four years of age by the end of June.

How much does kindy cost?

At C&K, we are proudly supported by the Queensland Government's kindergarten funding program to deliver our quality kindergarten program.  In 2024 all eligible-age children can attend a C&K kindergarten centre or kindy program in a C&K childcare centre for up to 30 hours a fortnight for FREE!  Places are limited so secure your child's place today and enrol now.

2024

Daily Fee

Kindergarten fee

FREE
Non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee

Varies by centre

Fees will be published in December 2023

Please check your eligibility for FREE Kindy below:

  • Your child must be of eligible-age (turning 4 by 30 June 2024).  Please refer to the When should my child attend kindy? table below for more information.
  • Only one centre can claim the funding subsidy for your child for FREE kindy. 
    • If your child is enrolled in two kindergarten groups at the same centre they are not eligible for FREE kindy for the second group and the non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee will apply for the second group.
    • If your child is enrolled in another kindergarten program (for example, in a childcare centre or another kindergarten) while they are enrolled at our centre, you need to choose which centre you'd like the funding applied to, to receive FREE kindy at only one of the centres.

If your child does not meet the eligibility criteria above, the non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee will apply.

Other Fees

A one-off, non-refundable enrolment fee of $100 is required when you complete your enrolment at a C&K branch centre, to confirm your place.  This fee is not subsidised and is issued to cover the administrative costs of your child's enrolment at a C&K branch centre.

The enrolment fee, is waived for eligible families who meet at least one of the criteria listed below:

  • hold a current Australian Government Health Care Card (HCC)
  • hold a current Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card (automatic HCC entitlements)
  • hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card or White Card
  • have formal communication, such as a letter, from the relevant agency stating the intent to issue a Health Care Card
  • have evidence of formal foster or kinship care arrangements
  • have three or more children, of the same age, enrolled in the same year
  • have a child who is identified as living in a formal child protection out-of-home-care arrangement
  • identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • are a family and child who have entered Australia under the Australian Government's Refugee and Humanitarian Program, or is in the process of seeking asylum and holds a temporary visa.

What if I want my 3 year old to go to kindergarten?

Priority is given to eligible-aged children but if there are places available, we are happy to have 3 year old children at kindy and attend for 2 years.  FREE Kindy does not apply for 3 year old children, and the non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee will apply.  Please contact your local C&K centre for more information on fees for 3 year olds and to discuss your child and your family’s situation.

When should my child attend kindy?

The below table shows the year the Queensland government recommends your child attends kindergarten.  You can wait list your child at a C&K kindergarten up to 4 years in advance.  Enrolment offers are made between May and July the year before your child attends.

Year born Kindy year
1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 2023
1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 2024
1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 2025
1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 2026

Children aged 4 years old by 30 June in the year they attend kindy are also called ‘Eligible age’ or ‘Target age’.

What families say about C&K

 

Why choose a C&K kindergarten or childcare centre?

Need more information?

QLD Government FAQs on Free Kindy 

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