Queensland children set to benefit from $1bn state government boost for kindergartens

Queensland families will pay less for kindergarten as the state government increases its annual investment from $130 million to $211 million over the next five years. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a kindergarten program funding overhaul on Wednesday, which will begin early next year, and will include helping kids in regional areas and those with disabilities. 

‘The first few years of a child’s life are incredibly important and play a major role in their future,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

Queensland families set to benefit in state government hand out to the most vulnerable kids

‘That’s why we’re increasing our annual investment in kindy from $130 million to $211 million per year, which means more than a billion dollars will go into our kindy services over the next five years, with ongoing funding after that.’

Even free kindy is up for grabs for 14,000 of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged kids in the state, as part of the package. 

The five-year investment will pump $33 million into expanding early learning outcome program Kindy Uplift from 400 to 930 services. 

A further $38.5 million will help remote and regional services attract and keep early childhood teachers, and an additional $95 million will support families with children who have a disability.       

Education funding boost will help the most vulnerable: ‘The first few years of a child’s life are incredibly important and play a major role in their future,’ Ms Palaszczuk said. 

‘Kindy counts,’ the Premier said.  ‘I want kindy in Queensland to not only be world class, but accessible and affordable too,’ Ms Palaszczuk said. 

‘The cost of kindy is a huge barrier for many children and a great burden for thousands of working families across the state,’ she said. ‘This reform will help change the lives of thousands of Queensland children and their families.’