Raising a family is one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it is no secret that it comes with significant financial pressures. Fortunately, the free kindergarten Victoria initiative was implemented to ease that burden, ensuring that cost is no longer a barrier to quality early childhood education. This government program represents a major investment in your child’s future, giving every Victorian child the best start in life while keeping thousands of dollars in your pocket.
What is the Free Kindergarten Initiative?
Free Kinder is a significant Victorian Government investment designed to give every child the opportunity to engage in two years of quality early childhood education before they start school. The initiative recognises that the years between ages three and five are critical for brain development, social skills, and emotional resilience.
By covering the cost of the program, the government ensures that families do not have to choose between their household budget and their child’s education. This funding covers both Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs, which are delivered by qualified teachers at approved services, including Cire’s dedicated Melbourne kindergartens.
How Much Money Can a Family Save From the Free Kinder Initiative?
The amount you save depends on the type of service your child attends, but the savings are substantial for all eligible families.
Sessional Kindergarten Savings
For children attending a standalone (sessional) kindergarten, the program is fully funded. This saves families up to $2,567 per child, per year. This means no term fees for the core 15-hour program.
Long Day Care Savings
For children attending a Long Day Care center (where the kinder program is integrated into a full day of care), the government provides a fee offset. This reduces your out-of-pocket fees by $2,101 per year. This offset is applied in addition to your Child Care Subsidy (CCS), maximising your total savings.
What Does the Free Program Include?
“Free” does not mean “basic.” The funding covers a high-quality, comprehensive educational program led by qualified professionals.
When you enrol at Cire Early Learning, your funded kindergarten place includes:
- Qualified Teachers: Degree-qualified Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) leading the program.
- Play-Based Curriculum: Evidence-based learning frameworks that prepare children for school transition.
- Specialised Programs: Access to unique experiences like Bush Kinder, where children learn through nature play (subject to location).
- Incursions and Excursions: Many activities that were previously charged as extras are now often covered or heavily subsidised by the funding.
How to Enrol and Claim Your Funding
Accessing the funding is designed to be a straightforward process for parents. Unlike many government subsidies, you do not need to make a separate application to Centrelink or the Department of Education.
The funding is paid directly to the service provider, who then passes the savings on to you. To ensure you receive your entitlement, simply follow these steps:
- Choose Your Centre: Select a funded service provider like Cire Early Learning.
- Sign the Nomination Form: Upon enrolment, you will be asked to sign a declaration form. This form confirms that you are choosing this specific service to receive your child’s Free Kinder funding.
- Confirm One Service Only: It is critical to remember that you can only claim the funding at one center at a time. If your child attends two different kindergartens (e.g., a sessional kinder and a long day care), you must decide which one receives the government funds.
Secure Your Free Kinder Place Today
At Cire Early Learning, we believe every child deserves a rich, engaging, and supportive start to life. Our funded kindergarten programs are led by passionate Bachelor-qualified teachers who are dedicated to nurturing your child’s unique potential.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to give your child a head start at no extra cost to your family. Spaces for our funded 3 and 4-year-old programs fill up quickly.
Find your nearest Cire centre to book a tour, meet our educators, and sign your funding nomination form today.
FAQs
What if my child attends two different kindergartens?
You can have your child attend as many centers as you like, but you can only claim the Free Kinder funding at one of them. You will need to pay full fees at the second service. Most families choose to apply the funding to the service where their child attends the most hours to maximise the financial benefit.
Does Free Kinder affect my Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
No. The Free Kinder fee offset is applied before your Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is calculated. It does not reduce your eligible hours or your percentage rate. It simply reduces the gap fee you have to pay at the end of the day.
When does the funding start?
The funding is available from the beginning of the school year (Term 1) in the year your child is eligible to attend. If you enrol your child mid-year, the funding will start from the time their enrolment is confirmed and the nomination form is signed.
Disclaimer: Funding amounts are reviewed annually and may vary slightly year to year. The figures mentioned above are correct at the time of publishing.
