Free Kindy - What is it and is your family eligible?

If you're preparing for your child's kindergarten year in Queensland, you've probably heard about Free Kindy – but what exactly does it cover, and does your family qualify? Whether you're considering a C&K sessional kindergarten or a C&K childcare centre with a kindy program, understanding how Free Kindy works can help you make informed decisions and budget effectively for the year ahead. Keep reading for a breakdown of everything you need to know.

What is Free Kindy?

Free Kindy provides eligible children with 15 hours per week in a Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program for up to 40 weeks per year – completely free. That’s 600 hours to explore new environments, make friends, build confidence, play, and have fun learning in preparation for Prep.

Who is eligible?

Kindy is free for children turning 4 by 30 June, in the year they attend kindy. See the table below to determine which year your child should attend kindy.

Eligible-age children who are Australian residents, children of families on Refugee and Humanitarian visas or temporary resident visas that are exempt from state school fees are all eligible to claim Free Kindy funding.

Does Free Kindy apply in childcare?

Yes! If your eligible child is enrolled in a C&K childcare centre where they participate in a government-approved kindergarten program, you will receive 15 hours per week of free kindy for 40 weeks per year (up to a maximum 600 hours per year).

When is kindy NOT free?
There are several situations in which fees for kindy may apply.

• When your child attends a kindy program for more than 15 hours per week. This is common if your child attends a childcare centre or kindergarten with extended hours. If you are eligible to claim the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), the CCS and Free Kindy can be claimed together to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

• Some sessional kindergartens offer programs that run for more than 15 hours per week. If this is the case, fees will apply for the additional hours. CCS cannot be claimed at sessional kindergartens.

• Children attending kindy who are younger than the eligible age in the year they attend, and children on visas that are not fee-exempt, will be charged the non-eligible fee. These fees are different for each kindy and are available to view on the kindy's webpage. The non-eligible fee is updated every year in December for the following year.

What if my child attends more than one kindy or childcare centre?

Free Kindy can only be claimed at one centre. If your child is enrolled in two childcare centres or two sessional kindergartens, you will need to nominate which centre you wish to claim Free Kindy at.

If your child is enrolled in an approved kindergarten program in both a sessional kindergarten and a childcare centre, the sessional kindergarten will receive the Free Kindy funding for your child.

Fees will apply at sessional kindergartens or childcare centres when another centre is receiving Free Kindy funding for the child.

What if my child is attending kindy for a second year?

If your child will benefit from delayed entry to Prep and is attending kindy for a second year, they will still be eligible to claim Free Kindy as long as they are an Australian resident, child of a family on Refugee and Humanitarian visas, or a temporary resident visa that is exempt from state school fees.

Are there any other fees?

At C&K branch kindergartens, a one-off, non-refundable enrolment fee of $100 is required when you complete your enrolment to confirm your place. This is not covered by Free Kindy funding and is issued to cover administration costs. However, it can be waived if you are an eligible concession card holder.

C&K affiliate kindergartens may also charge an enrolment fee and/or membership fee. Fees may also apply for excursions/incursions. Please see the kindy’s centre webpage for more information.

Further questions?

The C&K Service Support team are here to support you with any fee or subsidy-related questions. We're also happy to help you with any questions specific to your family's situation. Please complete our contact form with as much information as possible, and we'll get back to you, or give us a call on 1800 177 092.