Get ready for some truly wonderful news for Kidz Magic families across Queensland! We are excited to announce that our exceptional free kindergarten programs are offered at all our eligible locations, including Heathwood, Meadowbrook, Capestone, and Eden’s Crossing.
These programs are free for all eligible-aged Queensland children starting this year, thanks to the Queensland Government’s commitment to providing a strong start for every child’s early education.
At Kidz Magic, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for early learning. And now, this quality early childhood education experience is even more accessible to our Queensland families.
The Queensland government believes, just as we do, that every child deserves a fantastic beginning to their learning journey. That’s why they are creating a free kindergarten program. Free kindy funding for Queensland families is a significant investment in the future of our little ones.
Eligible-aged children can access approved kindergarten programs and receive free kindy funding; however, enrolment is ultimately at the discretion of the Approved Provider, based on their individual policies such application deadlines or wait lists.
What Exactly is Free Kindy?
For those new to the concept, kindergarten (often simply called kindy here in Queensland) is a vital part-time educational program specifically designed for children in the year before they head off to prep.
This Kindy program offers 15 hours per week, for 40 weeks per year, completely free for Queensland children attending a government approved kindergarten program like ours at Kidz Magic Heathwood, Meadowbrook, Capestone, and Eden’s Crossing.
Where Can You Access Free Kindy at Kidz Magic?
As long day care services, all our Kidz Magic centres integrate our enriching kindergarten programs within our wrap-around care hours. This provides unparalleled convenience for our local working families. It’s important to remember that while 15 hours of Free Kindergarten are covered, any additional hours may be eligible for the Australian Child Care Subsidy (CCS), depending on your family’s income.
We encourage all parents in the Heathwood, Meadowbrook, Capestone and Eden’s Crossing areas to contact their local Kidz Magic Early Learning Centre and speak with our friendly team to discuss the specific start date for their child’s kindergarten program this year.
Who is Eligible for Free Kindy at Kidz Magic?
The eligibility criteria are clear for all our Kidz Magic families:
- Your child needs to be at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they attend prep in your local Queensland area.
- They need to be attending a government approved educational program offering Free Kindy, which all our eligible Kidz Magic centres proudly are. Look for the kindy tick!
- The program must be delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher, an important standard that all our teams at each Kidz Magic location meet.
The Fantastic Benefits of Early Learning at Kidz Magic
Our focus is on providing an Early Learning program where your little one will enjoy meaningful experiences and:
- Make friends and connect with others, building crucial social skills within their local community.
- Express their curiosity, imagination, and expression, through our engaging learning environment.
- Build independence through decision-making and negotiation, fostering essential life skills.
- Strengthen confidence and resilience, preparing them for their educational journey.
- Explore new ideas and communicate feelings, developing emotional intelligence.
- Develop early reading, writing, and numeracy skills – Laying a strong foundation for future learning.
How to Access Free Kindergarten at Your Local Kidz Magic
Accessing this fantastic opportunity at your nearest Kidz Magic is simple:
- Check your child’s eligibility: Ensure they meet the age requirements (at least 4 by 30 June in the year before prep).
- Contact your local Kidz Magic centre: Get in touch with the team at Kidz Magic Heathwood, Meadowbrook, Capestone or Eden’s Crossing to discuss enrolling your child in our Free Kindy program for this year. We can provide details on our early learning schedule and answer any specific questions you have about your local centre.
- Look for the Kindy Tick: All our eligible Kidz Magic centres offer a Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program. We proudly display the official “kindy tick”, signifying our commitment to the Queensland kindergarten learning guidelines and delivery by qualified educators.
We understand that parents might have questions specific to their local context or the transition to Prep. Our teams at each Kidz Magic location are here to provide all the information you need.
This free kindy initiative is a wonderful opportunity for families across Brisbane, making quality early childhood education at a trusted local centre even more accessible.
We’re incredibly proud to be part of this government-approved kindergarten program and can’t wait to welcome your child to Kidz Magic—where fun, learning and growth happen every week, with 15 hours of free kindy!
Contact your local Kidz Magic Centre today to secure your child’s place in our Free Kindy program for this year!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Is kindy free in Queensland?
Yes, for eligible-aged children attending approved kindergarten programs like those at Kidz Magic in Queensland, kindy is free for 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, thanks to Queensland Government funding.
What age is kindy in Queensland?
In Queensland, children are typically eligible for kindy in the year before they start Prep, and must be at least 4 years of age by June 30th of that year. This is the age group targeted by the Free Kindy program at Kidz Magic.
When do children start kindergarten in QLD?
Children in Queensland generally start kindergarten in the year before they begin Prep, provided they turn four by June 30th of that year. The specific start date within the year can vary by centre, so it’s best to contact your local Kidz Magic for their program start dates.
Is kindy compulsory in Queensland?
No, kindy (kindergarten) is not compulsory in Queensland. However, it is highly recommended as a crucial foundation for children’s learning and development before starting compulsory schooling in prep.
What is the difference between Prep and Kindergarten in QLD?
Prep is the first year of formal schooling in Queensland, following kindergarten.
Kindergarten (often referred to as “pre-prep”) is the year before Prep and focuses on early learning through play for children who are typically four years old by June 30th of that year. The Free Kindy program at Kidz Magic caters to this pre-prep age group.
