Is your child ready to start kindergarten or preschool? You may be wondering what type of funding is available to your family. You may have heard different terms like ‘kindergarten funding’ and ‘Free Kinder’. We know it can be tricky to work out what this all means, so we’re here to help!
In short, kindergarten funding refers to government initiatives that reduce the cost of kindergarten. Funding will look different depending on where you live.
In this article, we explain how kindergarten funding works in Victoria, and how preschool funding works in New South Wales. We also explain how your family can access this funding.
Key learnings
- Kindergarten funding reduces the cost of kindergarten programs for families.
- Free Kinder is a type of kindergarten funding available to families in Victoria.
- Start Strong is a type of preschool funding available to families in New South Wales.
- Free Kinder is available for all families who enrol at a participating kindergarten in Victoria.
- You can access Free Kinder and Start Strong funding at the Y Early Learning for your child’s kindergarten and pre-school years.
What is kindergarten or preschool?
Kindergarten (also known as ‘kinder’) and preschool is an important step in your child’s learning journey. It provides a nurturing environment for children to learn and grow. Led by bachelor-qualified kindergarten teachers, kindergarten helps children build essential skills like:
- social-emotional skills (sharing, empathy, conflict resolution)
- early literacy and math (foundational letters, sounds, counting)
- motor skills (cutting, drawing, running)
- independence (following routines, managing belongings)
In Victoria, Children attend kindergarten when they are three and four years old. This means it’s usually their first experience of formal education before starting school. Attending kindergarten is a great way to help your child gain school-readiness skills and set them up for future success.
You can choose to send your child to integrated kindergarten (which takes place within long day care) or sessional kindergarten (which is a standalone session). The funding you receive may vary depending on the type of kindergarten your child attends. You can learn more about this in our guide to integrated and sessional kindergarten.
What is kindergarten funding?
Kindergarten funding is financial support that covers (or partially covers) the cost of kinder.
The government provides this funding directly to kindergarten providers, who then pass it onto families as a reduction in their fees. This means more families can access kinder programs without being out of pocket.
Because funding is managed at a state level, it varies slightly depending on your location. Let’s look at how the government initiatives work in Victoria and NSW.
Kindergarten funding in Victoria (Free Kinder)
What is Free Kinder?
Free Kinder is a Victorian Government initiative that covers or reduces the cost of kindergarten for eligible three- and four-year-old children. This funding is paid to early learning providers, who pass it onto families as a discount on their fees.
In 2026, families get up to 15 hours of free kindergarten. This can save you up to $2,101 a year for each child.
If your child attends integrated kindergarten, you will just have to pay for the long day care element. Families who attend a sessional kindergarten program will not have to pay any fees.
Key benefits of Free Kinder include:
- Reduced financial pressure on household budgets.
- Greater access to high-quality early learning education.
- More opportunities for children to learn, build confidence, and prepare for school.
Who is eligible for Free Kinder?
All families can receive Free Kinder.
You don’t need to be an Australian citizen, have a Health Care Card or Pension Card, or proof of address. You also do not need to be eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
The only requirements are that:
- Your child turns three or four years old by 30 April the year they attend kindergarten.
- You only receive Free Kinder at one kinder service at a time.
How to access Free Kinder
When you enrol in kindergarten, you will need to nominate the early learning centre where you will receive the funding. This will involve completing a few forms.
Once you’re enrolled, you don’t need to do anything else. The funding will automatically be applied as a discount to your fees.
If you’re unsure about your situation, you can check your eligibility with your early learning provider. Feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll happily answer any questions you have. You can also visit our Free Kinder page or the Victorian Government website to learn more.
Preschool funding in NSW (Start Strong)
What is preschool in NSW?
In New South Wales, preschool refers to the two years of early education before school. (Kindergarten is actually the first year of school in NSW).
Children attend preschool when they are three to five years old. Much like kindergarten in Victoria, preschool is an opportunity for children to explore, discover new things, learn through play, grow in confidence, and prepare for school.
What is preschool funding?
For children attending preschool in NSW, the government offers the Start Strong program to support families financially.
Start Strong subsidises daily fees for children attending eligible community preschools and long day care centres. It helps more children access quality early childhood education.
In 2026, families can receive up to $2,563 per year for children aged four and above, and $769 per year for three-year-old children.
The exact amount you receive will depend on:
- The number of hours your child is enrolled.
- The type of service your child attends.
- Your family circumstances.
Like Free Kinder in Victoria, the government provides this funding to the service provider. They then pass it onto you as a discount in your fees.
You can learn more about preschool in NSW and Start Strong funding on the NSW Government website.
Kindergarten funding at the Y Early Learning
The Y Early Learning is a Victorian Government Approved kindergarten provider.
Families can get Free Kinder at all our early learning centres in Victoria. If you’re based in NSW, you can get Start Strong at our Macarthur Square centre.
Accessing this kindergarten and preschool funding is easy. When you enrol your child, we’ll guide you through the process to make it as simple and stress-free as possible. You don’t have to navigate the system alone; we’re here to help!
Ready to secure your child’s place? Book a tour at an early learning centre near you or get in touch to learn more about our programs and funding.
