Kindergarten will be free in Queensland from next year as part of a budget measure the state government says will save some families about $4,600.
Key points:
- The Queensland government has committed to making kindergarten free across the board
- The premier says about 8,000 Queensland kids are eligible for kindy, but don't attend
- The government is working with the sector to prepare for an influx of enrolments
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hopes it will "give every little Queenslander the best start in life" and support parents return to the workforce.
It will cost the state budget $645 million in total, and bring the investment in kindergarten to $2 billion over four years.
About 14,000 Queensland families are currently eligible for free kindergarten.
The new scheme is expected to help another 50,000 children attend kindy for free, with costs for each student covered for up to 15 hours a week for government-approved educational program.
The state government said free kindergarten would save eligible families more than $4,000 per year, with the total amount a family will save depending on where and how they attend kindy.
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"There are currently around 8,000 children who are eligible to attend a kindy but don't, and it's time to close that gap," the premier said.
"This investment will put thousands of dollars back into the pockets of families at a time when we know people are doing it tough, and support parents getting back into the workforce.
"We have a plan to attract more early childhood educators, too – including more incentives to work in regional and remote kindergartens."
The state government said it was working closely with Queensland kindergartens "so they are ready for the expected higher number of enrolments in January 2024".
The package includes increasing funds to attract and retain workers to $120 million.
Ms Palaszczuk had previously told parliament the scheme would cut early education costs and allow parents to contemplate more paid work.
She said it would also allow children to "receive the vital early childhood benefits" of kindergarten without the cost pressure.
Last month, the premier and education minister held a round table with the early education industry to determine how the policy could work.
It involved CEOs from C&K, Good Start Early Learning and Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland, as well as peak bodies and unions.
Education Minister Grace Grace said free kindy would "change the lives of thousands of children and families".
"The funding also includes vital and ongoing investment to attract and retain a quality early childhood workforce, particularly in regional and remote areas," she said.
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https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIzLTA2LTEzL2tpbmR5LXRvLWJlLW1hZGUtZnJlZS1mb3ItYWxsLXF1ZWVuc2xhbmQtZmFtaWxpZXMtc3RhdGUtYnVkZ2V0LzEwMjQ3MDczNtIBKGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMDI0NzA3MzY?oc=5
2023-06-12 20:43:02Z
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