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Free Kindy is a Queensland Government program that funds 15 hours of kindergarten per week, across 40 weeks per year, for eligible 4-year-olds at approved early learning centres. That’s 600 funded hours per year, applied directly as a fee reduction, with no claiming required from families.
Rise & Shine’s Queensland centres, including childcare in Maroochydore, childcare in Buderim, childcare on the Sunshine Coast, and childcare in Warner, are all approved Free Kindy providers.
The program is confirmed and available in 2026 and beyond.
To access the Kindy subsidy in QLD, your child must turn 4 on or before 30 June 2026, the year before they start Prep. Children who turn 4 between 1 July and 31 December 2026 will generally access Free Kindy in 2027.
If you’re unsure which year your child qualifies, use the Queensland Government’s age eligibility checker to confirm.
Beyond age, there are a few key conditions to be aware of:
Free Kindy covers the funded 15-hour kindy program, the structured, ECT-led kindergarten component of the day. At Rise & Shine, this sits within our full long-day care operating hours (6:30 am–6:30 pm).
Families who need care beyond the kindy program hours can access wrap-around care for the remaining time.
Free Kindy and CCS are two separate subsidies that apply to different parts of your child’s day and yes, you can claim both at the same time.
Queensland’s Free Kindy covers the kindy program component as a direct fee reduction. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) then applies to the remaining wrap-around care hours, reducing those costs based on your family income and activity test hours.
For many Queensland families, combining the two means the total out-of-pocket cost for a full day of care is significantly lower than expected.
Estimate your CCS entitlements here.
Sessional kindergartens and long day care kindy programs both deliver Free Kindy hours, but the day-to-day experience is very different.
Sessional kindy typically closes for around 12 weeks per year during school holidays, operates limited hours, and requires families to arrange separate care for the rest of the day. Long day care kindy at Rise & Shine runs year-round, from 6:30 am–6:30 pm, with wrap-around care available before and after the kindy program.
Your child stays in the same community, with the same educators, without disruption to their routine during holiday periods.
For working families, the difference is significant.
Places in our Queensland kindergarten programs are limited, and Free Kindy spots fill well ahead of the year they’re needed. Here’s how to secure your child’s place:
Confirm your child’s birth date qualifies using the Queensland Government age checker.
Find your nearest Rise & Shine QLD location. We offer:
Book a tour to see the kindy program in person before committing.
Contact your chosen centre directly.
Our team will confirm Free Kindy eligibility, walk you through the enrolment process, and let you know the current availability. If a place isn’t immediately available, getting on the waitlist early gives you the best chance of securing a 2026 spot.
Don’t wait – kindy year enrolments are often confirmed 12+ months in advance.
Children who turn 4 on or before 30 June 2026 are eligible to access Free Kindy during the 2026 kindy year. Children turning 4 between 1 July and 31 December 2026 typically access Free Kindy in 2027.
Free Kindy provides 15 hours per week across 40 weeks of the year, totalling 600 funded hours annually. At Rise & Shine, these hours sit within our full long-day care day.
Yes. Free Kindy and CCS are separate subsidies that apply to different hours. Free Kindy covers the kindy program component; CCS can cover some or all of the wrap-around care hours, depending on your family income and activity test.
Wrap-around care is the childcare provided outside the funded 15 kindy hours, before and after the program within the centre's operating day. CCS applies to these hours, so out-of-pocket costs vary by family. Contact your centre for current fee schedules.
Rise & Shine Kindergarten would acknowledge the Traditional Custodians across Australia and recognise First Nations peoples’ continued cultural connection to the land, sky and waterways that surround us. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Rise & Shine Kindergarten would acknowledge the Traditional Custodians across Australia and recognise First Nations peoples’ continued cultural connection to the land, sky and waterways that surround us. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
