Nurturing young minds for over 16 years.
What is Free Kinder?
Free Kinder is a Victorian Government initiative designed to make early childhood education more accessible for all families. It ensures every child can enjoy the benefits of quality kindergarten education without the financial stress of fees.
From 2023 onwards, Free Kinder has been available for all children enrolled in Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (including Pre-Prep) programs at participating services across Victoria.
Whether your child attends a standalone (sessional) kindergarten or a long day care centre, Free Kinder provides valuable savings and supports your child’s early learning journey through a government-funded program led by qualified teachers.
Benefits of Free Kinder
Free Kinder gives every child a strong start to lifelong learning. Attending kindergarten helps children develop essential skills such as communication, independence, emotional regulation, and problem-solving.
Beyond learning outcomes, Free Kinder helps families financially by covering the cost of funded kindergarten hours, allowing parents and carers to focus on work, study, or family life with peace of mind.
Who Is Eligible for Free Kinder?
One of the best parts about Free Kinder is that it’s for everyone. You do not need to:
- Have a Health Care or Pension Card
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Provide proof of address
- Be eligible for the Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Every family in Victoria can access Free Kinder at one participating kindergarten service at a time. If your child attends multiple services, you’ll need to nominate which one will receive the Free Kinder funding by signing a declaration form provided by the service.
Funded Hours Under Free Kinder
The number of funded hours your child receives depends on their age and the type of service you choose.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
- Funded for between 5 and 15 hours per week
- Funded hours will gradually increase to 15 hours by 2029
- Delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher
- Available at both sessional and long day care services
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten
- Funded for 15 hours per week
- This is gradually increasing to 30 hours per week as part of the Pre-Prep expansion
- Free Kinder funding covers these hours at participating services
If your child attends a program that runs for more hours than the funded amount, you may choose to pay for additional hours. These optional hours are not covered under the Free Kinder program.
Free Kinder at Standalone (Sessional) Kindergarten
Our sessional kindergarten offers a structured, teacher-led learning program for families who prefer a shorter day. Under Free Kinder:
- Families with children enrolled in participating sessional services receive a free program, with no compulsory out-of-pocket fees for the funded hours.
- Families can save up to $2,627 per child when enrolled in a participating sessional kindergarten.
- Some services may charge small one-off fees such as registration or excursion costs, but the core program hours remain free.
This makes sessional kindergarten an affordable and enriching choice for families who prefer shorter, structured days dedicated to early learning and play-based education.
Free Kinder at Long Day Care Centres
Many families choose long day care centres because they offer extended care hours alongside a kindergarten program. Free Kinder applies here too. Families with children enrolled in Three-Year-Old or Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs at participating long day care services receive a fee offset, applied directly to their childcare fees throughout the year.
Example of Fee Savings
| Age Group | Funded Hours | Estimated Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 3-year-old | 5–15 hours | $700 – $2,101 |
| 4-year-old | 15 hours | $2,101 |
| 4-year-old (Pre-Prep) | 16–30 hours | $2,241 – $4,202 |
Families don’t need to claim these savings manually — the participating centre receives funding directly from the Victorian Government, and the offset is applied automatically to your invoices (usually weekly or fortnightly).
How Free Kinder and CCS Work Together
If your child attends a long day care centre, you may still receive the Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy (CCS) in addition to Free Kinder. Here’s how it works:
- The CCS discount is applied first to reduce your regular childcare fees.
- The Free Kinder offset is then applied, reducing your out-of-pocket costs even further.
This combination makes kindergarten education in Victoria more affordable than ever before, ensuring every child can benefit from quality early learning.
Services Not Participating in Free Kinder
Most Victorian services have opted into the Free Kinder program, but some may not. If a kindergarten does not participate in Free Kinder, families may still be eligible for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy (KFS), which provides up to 15 hours per week of free or low-cost kindergarten for eligible children and families.
Eligibility for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy
- Children who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Families who have had contact with Child Protection
- Children from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
- Multiple birth children (triplets or more)
- Families holding concession cards (Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, DVA Gold/White Card, or certain refugee visas)
Why Free Kinder Matters
Free Kinder is more than just a financial benefit — it’s an investment in every child’s future. It ensures that all Victorian children, no matter their background, have access to the same opportunities for learning, development, and social connection before school.
By reducing barriers for families and supporting high-quality early education, Free Kinder helps children thrive in their first years and prepares them for a smooth transition into school.
Enrol Now for Free Kinder 2026 & 2027
Places in our Free Kinder programs fill quickly each year. By enrolling your child at Anderson Road Child Care Centre in Albion, you can ensure they access a high-quality, fully funded kindergarten experience in a caring and supportive setting.
Contact us today to learn more or book a tour:
Anderson Road Child Care Centre, 145 Anderson Rd, Albion VIC 3020
Phone: (03) 9312 6407
Quick Overview
| Program Type | Funded Hours | Family Savings | Meals | Extended Hours | Delivered by ECT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sessional Kinder | 15 hrs/week | Up to $2,627 | No | No | Yes |
| Integrated Long Day Care Kinder | 15+ hrs/week | $700 – $4,202 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
At Anderson Road Child Care Centre, we make it easy for families to understand and access this funding, while ensuring children enjoy a nurturing, high-quality educational environment every day. Because every child deserves the best start in life — and every family deserves support to make it possible.
Applying for Free Kinder at Anderson Road Child Care Centre is Easy
1. Contact us — call (03) 9312 6407 or visit our website to express your interest.
2. Complete the Funded Kindergarten Declaration Form — this must be filled out and submitted before your child can start.
3. Confirm your place — once your application is processed, we will confirm your child’s enrolment in our Free Kinder program.
Local to Melbourne’s west? See how Free Kinder works in Sunshine and the surrounding suburbs.