Free Kindy from 2024
The Queensland Government is making kindy free for all Queensland families.
Kindy will be free for eligible-aged children who attend a government-approved program offering free kindy from 1 January 2024.
This is 15 hours a week or 600 hours a year of free kindy, taught by a qualified early childhood teacher.
What is kindy?
Kindergarten, known as kindy, is a part-time educational program for children in the year before Prep (the first year of school in Queensland). Kindy is a place where your child will learn through play experiences and interactions that support their early learning, wellbeing and development.
By participating in kindy, children develop a love of learning and are supported with their transition to Prep.
Pelican’s Nest ELC runs a Queensland Government-approved kindy program, delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
In Queensland, children can attend kindy in the year before they start Prep.
At Pelican’s Nest we also run a Pre-Kindy program for children aged from 3 years. Our Pre-Kindy program is focused on preparing children and getting them ready and confident to start Kindergarten.
At what age can I enrol my child into Kindy?
Your child must be 4 years old by 30 June in the year they enrol to participate in kindy.
| Child born | Child can attend kindy |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 | 2024 |
| 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 | 2025 |
| 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 | 2026 |
| 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 | 2027 |
| 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 | 2028 |
| 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 | 2029 |
Learning at kindy
Kindy provides young children with opportunities to:
- use language to communicate ideas, feelings and needs
- make friends, interact and cooperate with others
- identify issues and develop problem solving skills
- become more confident and independent in their abilities
- connect with, explore and contribute to their world
- build their knowledge and explore new ideas, helping to build their confidence.