Free Kinder in Victoria is a government-funded initiative designed to reduce the cost of early education for families while maintaining access to quality learning in the years before school. The Victorian Government funds kindergarten programs for three- and four-year-old children through initiatives commonly referred to as Free Kinder Victoria.
Village Early Education supports free kindergarten that families in Victoria can access through its integrated long day care programs. This allows children to take part in a funded kindergarten program while experiencing their full day of care in a familiar environment.
Free Kinder in Victoria is available through both sessional kindergarten services and childcare for three- to five-year-olds. Learn more about our Kinder Villagers program and how kindergarten fits into your child’s learning journey.
From 2026, families will benefit from the transition of four-year-old kindergarten to Pre-Prep, with funded hours increasing over time.
What is Kindergarten?
In Victoria, kindergarten is an early learning program for three- and four-year-old children in the years before school. It is focused on play-based learning that supports children’s development across social, emotional and early learning areas.
Kindergarten programs are guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, which outlines how children learn through play, relationships and intentional teaching. The framework supports development in areas such as communication, wellbeing, identity and early problem-solving skills.
Overall, kindergarten plays an important role in supporting children’s learning before school. It helps children develop confidence, independence and social skills in a structured learning environment. Learn more about the importance of kindergarten for young children and how kindergarten supports school readiness.
Free Kinder at Village Early Education
Parents often ask, what is a kindergarten funded program? Free Kindergarten was introduced as part of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms. These reforms aim to improve access to early learning, reduce cost pressures for families and support better outcomes for children across the state.
Village Early Education supports Free Kinder through its long-day care centres, where kindergarten is integrated into the daily program. This means children do not need to move between services to attend kindergarten. Families benefit from consistent routines, familiar educators and all-day care alongside funded kindergarten learning.
Types of Government-Supported Kinder Programs
Victoria offers several government-supported options under the broader funded kindergarten program structure. These programs are designed to support access to early learning for all children, as well as additional assistance for families who need it.
Free Kinder
Free Kinder is available to all three- and four-year-old children across Victoria when they are enrolled in a participating funded kindergarten program, as services must opt into the initiative to offer it. If a service chooses not to participate, children enrolled at that service will not receive Free Kinder funding.
At long day care services, Free Kinder is applied as a fee offset. This works alongside the Child Care Subsidy and is applied to the remaining gap fees, reducing the overall cost of care. As Village is a long day care provider, families receive a fee offset for their child’s funded kindergarten hours.
Funded hours include:
- Three-year-olds: 5 to 15 hours per week
- Four-year-olds: 16 to 20 hours per week from 2026, increasing to 25 hours by 2029 and 30 hours by 2030
- Eligible Pre-Prep priority cohort children: 16 to 25 hours per week
There is no Free Kinder Victoria eligibility requirement for parents. Families don’t need a Health Care Card, Pension Card, Australian citizenship or proof of address. However, children must have a birth certificate and meet immunisation requirements under Victoria’s ‘No Jab, No Play’ laws.
Early Start Kindergarten
Early Start Kindergarten is transitioning to Pre-Prep Priority from 2026. This program supports Victorian children who are from a refugee or asylum seeker background, have had contact with Child Protection or identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Eligible children receive:
- Three-year-olds: 15 hours per week of free or low-cost kindergarten
- Four-year-olds: 16 to 25 hours per week of free Pre-Prep
Access to Early Learning
Access to Early Learning supports three-year-old children from families experiencing complex circumstances. Children are often referred through child and family services.
Eligible children receive:
- 15 hours per week of free kindergarten
- 16 to 25 hours of Pre-Prep per week
- Increasing to 30 hours per week by 2028
Koorie Kids Shine
Koorie Kids Shine supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Eligible children receive:
- Three-year-olds: 15 hours per week of free or low-cost kindergarten
- Four-year-olds: 25 hours per week of free Pre-Prep
How to Apply for Free Kinder
Families do not need to submit a separate application for Free Kinder.
The funded amount is automatically deducted from fees and shown clearly on invoices. Families can only access free funding for one service at a time. Parents are then required to sign a form confirming where the funding is allocated.
Village Early Education receives the Free Kinder offset on behalf of families and applies it directly to their account.
Get Started with Funded Kindergarten Now
Families can explore our early learning centres to find a kindergarten program that suits their needs and location.
You can enquire directly with a centre or contact us if you have questions about funded kindergarten options in Victoria, eligibility or enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want my child to be enrolled for longer than the covered hours in kindergarten?
Families enrolled in kindergarten at Village attend full-day sessions. Free Kinder funding is applied to the family’s gap fee after the Child Care Subsidy has been applied, reducing overall costs while allowing children to attend for the full day.
What other support programs does the Australian Government offer?
The Australian Government provides the Child Care Subsidy to help eligible families with the cost of childcare. Free Kindergarten funding in Victoria is applied on top of this subsidy. You can read our complete CCS guide for more information about eligibility and how to apply.
My child attends more than one kindergarten service. Can I get Free Kinder from both services?
No. Families can only access Free Kinder funding at one kindergarten service at a time.
