Kindergarten will be free in Queensland from the start of next year, an initiative that is set to benefit an additional 50,000 children across the state.
The state government made the announcement on Tuesday morning, saying the free kindergarten is part of a $645 million investment and is designed to save families with young children around $4,600 per year.
In Queensland, kindergarten is a 15-hour per week government approved education program that children can attend in the year before they start school. Currently about 14,00 children are recipients of free kindergarten.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the free kindergarten policy would help children access quality education and help parents who are returning to work.
“Today’s announcement is a historic investment in Queensland children, their families and our state’s future,” Palaszczuk said.
“This investment will put thousands of dollars back into the pockets of families at a time when we know people are doing it tough, and support parents getting back into the workforce.
“There are currently around 8,000 children who are eligible to attend a kindy but don’t, and it’s time to close that gap.”
As part of its $645 million kindergarten package, the Queensland government is allocating $120 million to attract and retain the sector’s workforce, with a portion dedicated to getting more staff into kindergarten services in regional and remote areas.
The government’s “Kindy Uplift” program will receive a $20 million boost to provide targeted resources and professional development to services where children are more likely to experience disadvantage. The government is also providing $15 million to boost support for children with disability and additional needs.
The government says it will work with the sector so it is ready for the expected higher number of enrolments in kindergarten in January 2024. Children will be able to access the free kindergarten regardless of whether they attend a community kindergarten or kindy in a long day care.
Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said it will change the lives of thousands of children and families.
“The kindy reforms that came into force earlier this year made kindy free for 14,000 families and cheaper for another 26,000,” she said.
“I have travelled around the state to hear from parents and services directly and read the responses to our survey. It’s clear free kindy makes a massive difference and that’s why we’re making it happen for every family in our state.
“The funding also includes vital and ongoing investment to attract and retain a quality early childhood workforce, particularly in regional and remote areas.”