The Queensland government recently announced that from January 2024, kindergarten education will be free for all Queensland children, aiming to give every child a solid start in education, which is estimated to save families of each child $14,600 in education expenses each year.
Kindergarten in Australia is called a kindy, and the new program is a half-day program for children preparing to enter prep classes. From January 1, 2024, Queensland children enrolled in a government-approved kindergarten program will receive 15 hours of free education per week, 40 weeks a year. The program is provided by the kindergarten program in long day care services and sessional kindergartens. Sessional kindergartens run during school hours mid-term, while long day care services incorporate kindergarten classes into extended care hours. Children aged 4 or older on June 30 of the year before starting prep classes are eligible to participate.
These free preschool programs are offered in different ways by different institutions. Some institutions may offer 15 hours of free preschool programs two or three days a week, while additional programs may incur additional fees. If your child attends a full-day childcare center, they may be eligible for the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy for care during other hours, so parents may want to keep this in mind.
You can go to the Queensland Government'sOfficial website, find the nearest free preschool program near you.
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