Young families looking for a release valve to cost of living spikes can now take kindy fees off the budget list.
In a huge move to help those most vulnerable, the state government has unveiled a plan to make kindergarten free for all Queensland families.
Relieving cost-of-living pressures was a focus of the latest state budget, and to prove it, the government unveiled a $645 million investment to make kindy free for the next four years.
14,000 children already receive free kindy through a 15-hour a week government program.
Starting 1 January 2024, the government’s new investment will see 50,000 more children receive a free kindergarten education – a move predicted to save families up to $4600 a year.
Children can start kindergarten when they turn four-years-old, the year prior to school.
Local kindergarten director at Little Gems Jimboomba, Jac Brecknell, welcomed the change.
She said data collected through kindergartens and childcare services proved children from working families had a lower kindergarten-participation rate.
“What the program is trying to do is target children who have never been in a long daycare or in a kindergarten service because of financial restraints,” Ms Brecknell said.
She said early childcare was essential to a child’s development.
“It’s a great way for them to learn how to be part of a group and community before school,” she said.
Ms Brecknell said there were two potential issues with the government’s plan: insufficient capacity and missing the target audience.
But a spokesperson from the Department of Education said there was enough capacity to support a potential influx of children entering kindergarten.
She said there were 8000 additional children that could enter the kindergarten market, spread across 3000 services.
“We are confident there is enough capacity,” the spokesperson said.
She said the government had also invested $120 million dollars in the sector which would partially fund staff-training.
Ms Brecknell’s other concern is that the news of ‘free kingergarten’ will not reach non-working and vulnerable families – the people the government is targeting.
“I hope the information is given to those who need it most,” she said.
When asked if this was an issue the government anticipated, the education department spokesperson said “yes”.
She said there would be a “huge advertising campaign” to reach the intended audience.
“Everyone who needs to know this will,” the spokesperson said.
In devising this reform, the state government consulted with several industry players and experts.
An online survey with 6400 respondents found 98% believed free kindy would help them and their family.
The state treasurer and member for Woodridge, Cameron Dick, said free kindergarten would serve as a massive boost to women and the economy.
“I said this budget would deliver real cost of living relief for Queenslanders, and free kindy is going to save more than 60,000 families thousands of dollars every single year,” Mr Dick said.
“It’s also going to help parents – particularly women – back into the workforce, which will have a significant economic impact too.”
The minister who helped lead the charge for free kindy, the education minister Grace Grace, said this reform would “change the lives of thousands”.
“I have travelled around the state to hear from parents and services directly and read the responses to our survey,” Ms Grace said.
“It’s clear free kindy makes a massive difference and that’s why we’re making it happen for every family in our state.”
