Next year’s crop of kinder families can look forward to one less hit to their wallet with Glenelg Shire kindergartens set to opt-in to the State Government’s Free Kinder program for 2023.

Under the scheme, funded kindergarten services in Victoria will be eligible to receive $2500 for every child enrolled.

The funding will support kindergartens to deliver 15 hours of 4-year-old kinder and between five and 15 hours of three-year-old kinder next year.

Kindergarten providers would be required to opt in to receive the funding and the Shire confirmed last week it would seek its slice of the $270 million allocated for the program.

A government spokesperson said kindergartens that do opt in would not be permitted to charge parents a gap fee.

It ensures council-managed kinder programs in the shire will be offered to families at no cost.

Early Childhood Minister, Ingrid Stitt said the funding would help ensure no child missed out on “vital” early education.

“This is such an exciting time for families and the young learners who are able to attend free kindergarten for the first time,” she said.

The shire said it was still in the process of allocating places for kindergarten and asked any families who missed the enrolment period to contact its children’s services team by phone on 1300 453 635 and by email at childrenservicesenquiry@glenelg.vic.gov.au.