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Quality Early Childhood Education and Care
for children age 6 weeks to 5 years

Where learning, growing, and belonging are child's play

C&K is Queensland's trusted not-for-profit early childhood education provider with over 115 years of experience. We offer quality childcare and kindergarten programs for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Free Kindy for eligible four-year-olds

If your child turns four by 30 June 2025, they can access 15 hours per week of free kindy for 40 weeks.

Play-based learning in natural environments

Our qualified and experienced teachers and educators help children thrive through play-based programs in spacious, natural settings.

Flexible options for every family

We understand all families are unique. C&K offers flexible early learning solutions including long day care, kindergarten with extended hours, and flexible booking options to suit your family's needs.

Child playing outside creating with nature

Why choose C&K for early learning?

Start your child's early education journey at C&K
Growth and wellbeing
Early childhood shapes lifelong well-being and development — C&K’s high-quality early education gives your child the strongest start in life.
Nature & outdoor play
C&K values nature and outdoor play, encouraging children to explore, discover, and learn through hands-on experiences in natural environments that inspire curiosity and well-being.
Journey to Reconciliation
C&K is committed to reconciliation and inclusion, embracing diversity, respecting all cultures, and creating welcoming, inclusive environments for every child and family.
Positive & nurturing relationships
C&K nurtures positive, trusting relationships between families, children and educators, where children feel safe, supported, and confident to learn and grow.
Belonging
At C&K, children develop a strong sense of belonging, build friendships, and feel connected through inclusive, supportive environments that nurture social and emotional growth.
Educator smiling and sitting outside with kindy child

Is kindergarten free
at C&K?

Yes! All eligible 4-year-old children can attend C&K kindergarten completely FREE for up to 15 hours per week over 40 weeks (600 hours annually).

University-qualified teachers deliver this government-funded kindy program at over 330 C&K childcare centres and community kindergartens across Queensland. Places are limited, so early enrolment is recommended.

 

Kindergarten Approved Program Logo

How much does kindy cost?

DescriptionDaily Fee
Kindergarten program feeFREE
Non-eligible kindergarten fee

Varies by centre

Fees will be published in December for 2026

When should my child start kindy in Queensland?

When to enrol and age requirements

Use the Queensland Government's kindergarten age guidelines below to determine when your child should start kindy. Planning ahead? You can add your child to C&K kindergarten waitlists up to 4 years before they're eligible to start. Enrolment offers are made annually between May and July for the following year's kindergarten program.

Child born between:Kindy year
1 July 2021 to 30 June 20222026
1 July 2022 to 30 June 20232027
1 July 2023 to 30 June 20242028
1 July 2024 to 30 June 20252029

Early Learning

C&K has over 330 childcare centres and kindergartens throughout Queensland.
Childcare

For babies and toddlers, our philosophy is to slow down and be in the moment with your child, as they learn and explore the world. We partner with families so that your C&K childcare centre can become an extension of your home. Each of our childcare centres delivers a government-approved kindergarten program so eligible aged children can access Free Kindy!

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is a structured, play-based program led by a university-qualified teacher for children in the year before they attend school. The kindy program runs for at least 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per calendar year. It focuses on helping children develop a wide range of essential skills and prepares them for their transition to school.

Find a C&K Near Me

What our families have to say about their experience

Two children outside on the wooden playground

C&K Ascot has been such a wonderful experience for our family. From the very beginning, Miss Karina, the Director, has shown an incredible connection with the children. Her warmth, caring nature, and professionalism are truly second to none.

Parent, C&K Ascot Community Kindergarten

Child climbing on monkey bars outside

My daughter loves C&K Oonoonba kindy! The teachers are so kind and caring, creating a safe and fun environment every day. We feel truly lucky to have such a wonderful place for her to learn and grow.

Parent, C&K Oonoonba Community Kindergarten

Educator smiling and engaging with toddler inside

Fabulous small centre where educators and children build up close relationships. Excellent staff to children ratio which provides the best care and support. Rooms are well organised.

Parent, C&K QUT Gardens Point Community Childcare Centre

C&K teacher and child learning at kindy C&K kindy children playing outside
View our list of FAQs about kindergarten at C&K

What is community kindergarten?

Kindergarten, also known as preschool or pre-prep, is a structured, play-based program led by a university qualified early childhood teacher for children in the year before they attend school.

The program which runs for 15 hours per week or 30 hours a fortnight, 40 weeks per calendar year, focuses on helping children to develop a wide range of essential skills and prepares them for their transition to school.

Community kindergartens are usually open for approximately six hours per day, for example 8:30am to 2:30pm, 5 days per fortnight (3 days one week and 2 days the following week) but can vary depending on the kindy.

A kindergarten group has up to 22 children, who are turning four years of age by the end of June.

What do children learn at kindergarten?

At C&K, your child will make friends, explore new environments, build confidence, play and have fun learning. C&K's kindergarten program provides meaningful experiences and interactions that support your child's early learning, wellbeing and development now and into the future to become lifelong learners.

Our approved kindergarten program Listening and Learning Together: C&K Curriculum Approach, addresses the expectations from the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and the Queensland kindergarten learning program.

C&K's inclusive learning program honours every child’s right to play, builds on their existing learning from home and provides foundations to be a successful, lifelong learner. At C&K, your child will have the opportunity to: 

  • use language to communicate ideas, feelings and needs
  • make friends, cooperate and play with other children
  • become more independent, resilient and confident in their abilities through decision making and negotiation
  • develop literacy skills, promoting their imagination and creativity through reading, writing, arts, music, and media communication
  • identify, explore and solve problems and engage with early numeracy
  • develop early reading and literacy skills
  • build on their knowledge and explore new ideas through investigations and play

Routines blend indoor and outdoor activities with rituals that ease transitions and build familiarity. Through nature, group, and individual play like block-building, painting, and storytelling, children learn, cooperate, and form friendships. These consistent routines support their mental health and wellbeing.

C&K teachers and educators are open to your child’s ideas and will foster their social and emotional growth and ignite their curiosity.

How much does kindergarten cost?

Kindy is free for eligible age children (those turning 4 by 30 June, in the year they attend kindy) for 15 hours per week for 40 weeks (up to a maximum of 600 hours a year) at centres delivering government-approved kindergarten programs.

If your child is attending kindy in a second group or as a 3 year old, fees may apply (known as the non-eligible fee). These fees are different for each centre and are available to view on the centre's web page. The non-eligible fee is updated every year in December for the following year.

In addition to this, a one-off, non-refundable enrolment fee of $100 is payable when you confirm your child's enrolment at a C&K branch centre. This fee is not subsidised and is issued to cover the administrative costs of your child's enrolment at a C&K branch centre. However, the enrolment fee can be waived if you are an eligible concession care holder. Please discuss this with your centre's Director.

What year should my child attend kindergarten?

This table shows the year the Queensland government recommends your child attends kindergarten. Children aged 4 years old by June 30 in the year they attend kindy are also called ‘Eligible age’ or ‘Target age’.

Year bornKindy year
1 July 2019 to 30 June 20202024
1 July 2020 to 30 June 20212025
1 July 2021 to 30 June 20222026
1 July 2022 to 30 June 20232027
1 July 2023 to 30 June 20242028
C&K educator and baby in childcare FAQs
View our frequently asked questions about childcare at C&K

What is childcare?

A C&K childcare centre (also called a long day care centre) offers quality education and care for children from six weeks to five years, for up to 12 hours per day.

Our childcare centres are a warm, safe, home-away-from-home for our babies, toddlers, and young children—a place where children are supported, encouraged, and heard.

Our philosophy for babies and toddlers is to slow down and experience the world alongside them, at their pace, dedicating time to explore, wonder and imagine with them. We focus on developing deep and trusting relationships with each child and their family, igniting a love for learning from an early age.

What do children learn at childcare?

C&K’s early childhood curriculum Listening and Learning Together: C&K Curriculum Approach is used for children from birth to 5 in all our childcare centres. The learning outcomes in our curriculum approach align with the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF), the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG), and contemporary practices and understandings of the early years. All centres deliver a government-approved kindergarten program with a bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher.

At C&K, we value learning through play and create opportunities for rich learning experiences that follow each child's unique interest. We see children from birth as thinkers and theorisers rich in ideas and knowledge, as powerful learners and active citizens.

We carefully use an anti-bias curriculum to promote fairness, empowerment, and respect and to role-model equity and inclusion. We honour every child’s right to play, build on their existing learning from home, and provide foundations to be a life-long learner.

Some days learning can look like simple play, but we know that is where the magic happens.

What is the Child Care Subsidy?

The Australian Government helps families with the cost of childcare by subsidising fees to reduce out-of-pocket costs. This is called the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for CCS, and the amount of subsidy you receive will depend on family income, activity hours, and the number and ages of the children you have in approved care. From 1 January 2026, every eligible family will be guaranteed at least 72 hours of subsided early childhood education and care (the equivalent of 3 days per week).

Click here to learn more about CCS and check your eligibility.

How much does childcare cost?

Childcare fees for C&K childcare centres vary by centre and can be viewed on the centre’s web page.

Fees are updated every year in July. All C&K childcare centres are approved for the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

We also receive Queensland Government funding for our kindergarten program delivered in our childcare centres. Eligible-age children may receive 15 hours per week of free kindy for 40 weeks (up to a maximum of 600 hours a year).

Click here for more information on childcare fees.

How do I choose the right childcare centre for my child?

We understand how daunting this task can be, and we are here to support our families in finding a centre that feels right for their child.

At C&K, our doors are always open, and we encourage you to book a tour at some of your local C&K centres. It is important to explore the learning environment and meet the teachers and educators who will be spending time with your child.

This is your chance to see the centre's routines, watch the staff interact with children, and get a feel for the space. During the tour, educators can answer any questions you might have.

The right centre can look different for all families, depending on their unique needs. We aim to provide early childhood education and care environments where all children can thrive. Before or after visiting the centre, you can complete an enrolment application to be added to the waitlist.

Click here to for more handy tips on how to choose the right centre for your child.

Can I claim CCS and Free Kindy at childcare?

Yes, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Free Kindy can be claimed together. The CCS is applied to your fees before the Free Kindy subsidy and is paid directly to the centre. The Free Kindy subsidy is then applied to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

You will need to be eligible for CCS and apply via Services Australia. To receive the Free Kindy subsidy, you're not required to do anything additional. As long as your child is of eligible-age (turning 4 years old by 30 June) and enrolled in the kindy room, the Free Kindy subsidy will be applied to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. 

Click here to find out more about Free Kindy.

What are your staff to child ratios?

The National Quality Framework (NQF), regulated by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), sets the minimum educator-to-child ratio requirements for early childhood education and care services across Australia. These ratios are designed to ensure children receive adequate supervision, safety, and quality education.

C&K adhere to these regulatory requirements as follows:

  • Birth to 2 years - 1 educator to 4 children
  • Children 2 to 3 years - 1 educator to 5 children
  • Children 3 to 5 years - 1 educator to 11 children

Is food provided?

All C&K childcare centres provide morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, with the exception of C&K Hughenden Kindergarten & Early Childhood Centre. And most centres have a cook who prepares the nutritious meals onsite, fresh every day. Seasonal menus are created by our qualified cooks and are tailored carefully for children with dietary requirements. 

How to enrol at C&K?

1. Find your local centre with our finder tool
2. Start an enrolment application - quick & free
3. Your child is added to the centre waitlist
4. Book a tour and visit your preferred centres
5. For childcare - organise your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) through your MyGov app
6. Receive offer - complete forms & enrolment fee
7. Get ready to start learning through play!