Everything you need to know about Free Kindy

About C&K's Kindergarten Program

C&K's government-approved kindergarten program is led by university-qualified teachers for children in the year before they attend school. Children attend kindergarten for 15 hours per week, for the school calendar year (600 hours a year). C&K's quality, structured, play-based kindergarten program focuses on helping children to develop a wide range of essential skills and prepares them for their transition to school.

C&K's community kindergartens are usually open for approximately six hours per day, for example 8:30am to 2:30pm, five days per fortnight (3 days one week and 2 days the following week) but can vary depending on the kindy. A community kindy group has up to 22 children, who are turning four years of age by the end of June.

C&K also has 39 childcare centres that deliver a government-approved kindergarten program for four-year-olds, led by university-qualified teachers.

What is 'Free Kindy'?

At C&K, we are proudly supported by the Queensland Government's kindergarten funding program to deliver our government-approved kindergarten program. In 2024 all eligible-age children can attend a C&K kindergarten centre for 15 hours a week (600 hours a year) for FREE! Places are limited so secure your child's place today and enrol now.

How much does kindergarten cost?

All eligible-age children can attend a C&K kindergarten centre for 15 hours a week (600 hours a year) for free.

A one-off, non-refundable enrolment fee of $100 is required when you complete your enrolment at a C&K branch kindy, to confirm your place. This fee is not subsidised and is issued to cover the administrative costs of your child's enrolment at a C&K branch kindy. However, the enrolment fee can be waived if you are an eligible concession care holder. Please discuss this with your centre's Director.

Who is eligible for Free Kindy?

You can check your child's eligibility for Free Kindy by checking the criteria below:

• Your child must be of eligible-age (turning 4 by 30 June 2024). Please refer to the When should my child attend kindy? table below for more information.
• Only one centre can claim the funding subsidy for your child for Free kindy.
  • If your child is enrolled in two kindergarten groups at the same centre they are not eligible for Free kindy for the second group and the non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee will apply for the second group.
  • If your child is enrolled in another kindergarten while they are enrolled at our centre, you need to choose which centre you'd like the funding applied to, to receive Free kindy at only one of the centres.
  • If your child is enrolled in childcare and accessing a government-approved kindergarten program at that childcare centre, your will receive Free kindy only at our kindergarten and not at the childcare centre.

If your child does not meet the eligibility criteria above, the non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee will apply.

Does Free Kindy apply to childcare centres?

If your eligible-age (turning 4 by 30 June 2024) child is enrolled in a C&K childcare centre where they participate in a government-approved kindergarten program you will be eligible to receive 15 hours per week of free kindy for 40 weeks per year (up to a maximum 600 hours per year).

Children aged 4 years old by 30 June in the year they attend kindy are also called ‘Eligible age’ or ‘Target age’.

When should my child attend kindy?

The below table shows the year the Queensland government recommends your child attends kindergarten. You can wait list your child at a C&K kindergarten up to 4 years in advance. Enrolment offers are made between May and July the year before your child attends.

What if I want my 3-year-old to go to kindergarten?

Priority is given to eligible-aged children but if there are places available, we are happy to have 3 year old children at kindy and attend for 2 years. FREE kindy does not apply for 3 year old children, and the non-eligible enrolment kindergarten fee will apply. Please contact your local C&K centre for more information on fees for 3 year olds and to discuss your child and your family’s situation.

For more information, contact us or visit the Queensland Government's Free Kindy Website.