Victoria’s Free Kinder program supports access to funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten at participating services. The way the saving appears for families depends on whether the program is delivered through a standalone sessional kindergarten or a long day care service.
Because the funding model can sound complicated, the most useful starting point is to ask your chosen service exactly how its funded program is structured and how the saving will appear on your account.
How Free Kinder works in 2026
For 2026, participating standalone sessional services can provide a free funded program. In participating long day care services, the Victorian Government generally provides a Free Kinder fee offset that is applied to the family’s fees.
Victorian Government guidance says Four-Year-Old Kindergarten currently provides 15 funded hours per week, while Three-Year-Old Kindergarten hours can vary by service as the statewide rollout continues.
Free Kinder and Child Care Subsidy are different
Free Kinder is a Victorian Government program. Child Care Subsidy, or CCS, is an Australian Government subsidy that can reduce eligible families’ long day care fees.
In an integrated long day care program, these can interact on the same account. Families should ask the service how CCS and the Victorian Government Free Kinder offset are shown on invoices.
Can a child receive Free Kinder at two services?
No. Victorian Government guidance states that a child can access a funded kindergarten place and Free Kinder at one service at a time. Families nominate the service where the funded place will be used.
If your child attends more than one early childhood service, make sure both services know where the funded kindergarten place is being claimed.
Questions to ask before enrolling
- How many funded kindergarten hours does the service offer each week?
- Is the program integrated into long day care or offered as a separate sessional program?
- How will Free Kinder savings appear on my invoice?
- What fees apply outside the funded kindergarten hours?
- Can I add extra long day care days if I need them?
- Who is the qualified early childhood teacher leading the program?
Free Kinder at Clever Kids
Clever Kids is a Victorian Government funded kindergarten provider in Ashburton. We can explain our current funded Kinder attendance options, how the program fits within the day, and what additional care options are available for families who need them.
Funding settings can change, so families should always confirm the current arrangement at the time of enrolment.
This article provides general information for families. Government funding and eligibility settings can change; check current official guidance and your chosen service’s current arrangements.