THE State Government has encouraged every Victorian family to enrol their child into the new Free Kinder program for 2023.

Early Childhood and Pre-Prep minister, Ingrid Stitt, has announced that the Free Kinder program will enable increased access to quality childhood education and help lower the cost of living for Victorian families.

The government has committed to invest $270 million to provide Free Kinder in 2023 to approximately 140,000 eligible children.

All early childhood education and care providers that deliver a funded kindergarten program in Victoria will be eligible to receive Free Kinder funding from 2023 and will be available for both standalone kindergarten and long day care settings.

The Free Kinder program is expected to save Victorian families up to $2500 per child each year.

This funding provides from five, up to 15 hours per week of a kindergarten program for three-year-olds, and 15 hours a week for four-year-olds.

Participating kindergarten programs will receive funding directly from the State Government so families are not out of pocket.

“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,” Ms Stitt said.

The government has committed $9 billion over the next decade to expand kindergarten programs across the state.

This includes supporting the transition from Four-Year-Old Kindergarten to Pre-Prep with 30 hours of play-based learning by 2032.

Also included in this investment are plans to build 50 government-owned childcare centres in areas that have unmet demand to ensure children have the opportunity to thrive and families have access to childcare.

The first of the centres will be available in 2025.

The government considers kinder programs to be a crucial part of children’s educational journey.

Enrolments for 2023 kinder are currently open. Find out more by visiting vic.gov.au/kinder

For parents and carers wanting to participate in this program, look for the Kinder Tick logo when choosing a kindergarten to be confident that the program is funded and approved by the State Government.

More information on the Kinder Tick logo can be found by visiting vic.gov.au/kinder-tick