Free Kindy at Kids ELC
Be school-ready with our Free Kindy program
What is Free Kindy?
The Queensland Government’s Free Kindy program is designed to help children develop the foundational skills they need to have a strong start to their education. This part-time program is available to children the year before they start Prep.
Under the Free Kindy program, eligible children can enjoy 15 hours of engaging kindergarten learning each week. Spanning 40 weeks throughout the year, this program entitles your child to a total of 600 hours of Free Kindy. The program is delivered by qualified early childhood teachers completely free of charge at approved Kids Early Learning Centres.
Is my child eligible for Free Kindy?
If your child meets the following eligibility requirements, they can take advantage of the Free Kindy Program:
- Is at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they attend Prep,
- Attends a government-approved educational program offering Free Kindy in a long-daycare setting, like Kids ELC,
- The Kindy program is delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher, and
- They attend for 15 hours per week across the 40 week program as intended.
Why choose Kids ELC for Free Kindy?
Download our Kindy Info Guide
Queensland Government-approved Kindergarten Programs
Most Kids Early Learning Centres provide a Queensland Government-approved and funded Kindergarten Program. This ensures that children have access to a high-quality early learning experience that supports their development and prepares them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed at school. Some centres, especially newer ones, may still be working through an approval process.
Qualified early childhood teachers
Our Kindy programs are led by experienced and certified early childhood teachers who create meaningful learning opportunities and nurture each child’s strengths, interests, and confidence.
Interest-led learning
Supported by influences such as the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we embrace a more active learning approach that fosters curiosity, confidence, and creativity throughout our Free Kindy curriculum. We’re committed to creating nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn, so they can develop the skills needed to ease their transition to school.
Beautiful environments
Every aspect of our Kids Early Learning Centres has been thoughtfully designed. Our nature-inspired spaces and learning environments are built uniquely for each Kids ELC.
Although environments may vary by centre, children will have the opportunity to explore a variety of unique spaces like an Atelier (art studio), water play, adventure playground, quiet retreats, and nature-inspired playscapes. Some of our centres also have veggie gardens, and a variety pets to help children develop a deeper connection to nature, sustainability, and their surroundings.
Flexible delivery of Kindy
We know every family has different routines. Some children may attend kindy over two days, while others experience it as part of a longer day care program. For eligible families using extended care, the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can be used to cover these additional wrap-around hours.
Supporting your child’s school readiness
Our Kindergarten programs are designed to build the skills children need for a smooth and confident transition to school. Through play-based learning, children develop social skills, early literacy and numeracy, problem-solving, and independence, all in a safe, supportive environment. Our educators work closely with families to ensure every child feels prepared, capable, and excited for their next big step into Prep.
The benefits of Free Kindy for kids
The aim of the Free Kindy program is to provide children with the skills needed for a strong start to their schooling journey. That said, there are plenty more benefits to be had from completing this program:
- Builds confidence, independence, and resilience.
- Develops early reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
- Supports social skills, friendships, and teamwork.
- Encourages creativity and problem-solving.
- Supports a smooth transition to Prep.
Applying for the Free Kindy program at Kids ELC
Applying for the Kids ELC Free Kindy program is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Check that your child meets the age requirements for the Free Kindy program.
- Book a tour at your local Kids ELC centre to discuss program availability, see our facilities and meet our friendly Early Childhood Teachers.
- Complete an enrolment form after discussing your required days and session lengths with our team, as well as any additional considerations your child or family may have.
- Get your child ready for their first day of Kindy!
Remember, just because the Free Kindy program only covers 15 hours a week of free care doesn’t mean your child can’t extend their Kids ELC childcare hours. If you’re eligible for the CCS, you can still enjoy subsidised childcare courtesy of the Australian Government.
Give your child the best start to school with Kids ELC’s Free Kindy program
What age does my child need to be?
To be eligible for the Free Kindy program, your child must be aged at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they attend Prep.
How many hours are free?
The Free Kindy program covers 15 hours a week across 40 weeks per year, providing your child access to a total of 600 hours of Kindy free of charge.
Can my child attend more than the free hours?
Absolutely! While the Free Kindy program will cover the first 15 hours of care, any additional “wrap-around” hours are charged at the usual rate. That said, if your family is eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), you’ll be able to take advantage of subsidised childcare fees with reduced out-of-pocket expenses.
Can I claim the Child Care Subsidy alongside the Free Kindy program?
You sure can. So long as your family is eligible for the CCS, you’ll enjoy subsidised childcare for any hours your child attends Kids ELC outside of the weekly 15 free hours covered by our Free Kindy program.
Do I need to apply through the government or directly with Kids ELC?
Applying for the Kids ELC Free Kindy program is simple. Just enrol your child in your preferred Kids ELC centre and we’ll take care of the rest. There’s no need to apply separately through the government.
If your child already attends a Kids ELC centre, we’ll automatically enrol them in our Free Kindy program.
Is Free Kindy available during the school holidays?
At Kids ELC, our Free Kindy program is split into four terms, which align with the school year, meaning our program isn’t available over the school holidays. That said, our Kids ELC centres are open year-round, so your child can still attend over the school holidays with care days charged at the usual rate.
What happens if my child starts Kindy partway through the year?
The Kids ELC Kindy program is designed to start at the same time as the regular school year. With this in mind, if you enrol your child in the Free Kindy program after it’s commenced for the year, your child will see out what’s left of the Free Kindy program. Unfortunately, we can’t make up for any lost Kindy days.