Yahoo Finance Free kindy: Thousands of Aussie families to get $4,600 boost
Kindergarten will be free for all Queensland families from January 1, 2024.
Kindergarten will be free for Queensland families from next year, under a new cost-of-living measure included in today’s state budget.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this would save families around $4,600 per year and cost the state budget $645 million in total.
There are currently 14,000 children receiving free kindy in Queensland. The new scheme is expected to help another 50,000 children attend free, covering costs for a 15-hour-week program.
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“Today’s announcement is a historic investment in Queensland children, their families and our state’s future,” the premier 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.”
The government said it surveyed more than 6,500 Queenslanders, and 98 per cent said free kindy would help them and their families with the cost of living.
The government will hand down its budget today, which is expected to include more cost-of-living measures.
What do the changes mean for me?
Kindergarten will be free for all Queensland families from January 1, 2024.
This is estimated to save families around $4,600 per year, with the total amount depending on where the family lives and how their child goes to kindy.
Children can start kindy in the year they turn four years old by June 30, which is the year before they start school. It is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year.
Children will benefit from free kindy regardless of whether they attend community kindergarten or kindy in a long day care.
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