Hume and Whittlesea families with young children are encouraged to look into enrolling their child into the newly announced free kindergarten program.
Early Childhood and Pre-Prep Minister Ingrid Stitt said the free kindergarten funding will enable children to have increased access to quality childhood education and help reduce the cost of living for families.
“We know families are struggling with the cost of living and free kinder will help make sure no child misses out on the vital years of early education,” she said.
“This is such an exciting time for families and the young learners who are able to attend free kindergarten for the first time.”
The funding will see the state government invest $270 million to provide free kindergarten services in 2023 to about 140,000 eligible children.
All early childhood education and care providers which deliver a funded kindergarten program in Victoria will be eligible to receive the funding next year, which will save families up to $2500 per child each year.
The funding will be available in both standalone kindergarten and long day care settings.
A 15-hour per week program will be available to four-year-old children and a five-to-15-hour program will be available to three-year-old children per week.
Enrolments for 2023 kindergarten programs are currently open.
Details: vic.gov.au/kinder
