Free kindergarten in 2023

As an extension of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life scheme, from 2023, any family with a three- or four-year-old will pay nothing for kinder – a saving of up to $2,000 per child every year.

This is a great initiative for families with children attending or enrolling in kindergarten at Learning Ladder. We encourage everyone to take up this opportunity.

So, what is the Best Start, Best Life free kindergarten scheme and how will it benefit your family?

What is the free kindergarten scheme?

From 2023, three-year-olds can access 5 to 15 hours of free kindergarten per week and four-year-olds can access 15 hours of free kindergarten.

Free kinder will be available across Victoria at participating services in both long day care and sessional (standalone) settings.

The initiative is also part of the Government’s plan to support children’s early development and help over 28,000 Victorians return to work, including almost 26,600 women.

How does the scheme work?

Every child enrolled in Learning Ladder’s kindergarten program will have $50 per week deducted from their childcare fees.

Why is kindergarten free?

Free kinder supports every Victorian child to get the best start in life. The Victorian Government has chosen to invest more in kindergarten because research shows that attending two years of a quality structured kindergarten program is an excellent way to support your child’s transition to school and their lifelong learning and development.

Delivered by a degree-qualified teacher, kindergarten helps your child to build:

• Language and cognitive skills.
• Social and emotional skills and relationships.
• Self-confidence and independence.
• Reading and maths skills.
• Creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills.

Kindergarten also enables your child to lead their learning while exploring their unique interests.

How does the free kindergarten scheme benefit families?

Free kindergarten benefits children and families in various ways, including:

• Improved life outcomes for children, with smoother transitions to school and better learning and developmental outcomes.
• Improved social and developmental outcomes for children experiencing learning difficulties and vulnerabilities.
• Greater flexibility for families to balance work and care commitments.
• Financial savings for parents.

How to apply for kindergarten

If your child is turning three or four before 30 April 2023, you should consider three- or- four-year-old kindergarten.

Learning Ladder offers three- and-four-year-old kindergarten programs conveniently integrated into our childcare service. So, if you’re already enrolled at Learning Ladder, you don’t need to change childcare providers. To learn more about our kindergarten programs, please contact us today.