Palaszczuk Government announces $1b investment in kindy, subsidising fees for over a thousand Central Queensland kids

A massive funding overhaul from the state government is expected to provide free kindy for 14,000 Queensland kids, and reduced fees for a further 26,000. Find out who’s eligible.

Hundreds of regional families will benefit from free or reduced kindy fees following a $1b investment from the Palaszczuk government.

The State Government has announced a five-year package which will provide free kindy access for 14,000 Queensland children each year, and assist with reduced fees for a further 26,000 kids.

Gladstone MP, and Regional Development Minister Glenn Butcher said the first few years of a child’s life in regional Queensland were incredibly important for their development and played a major role in their future.

Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher cut the ribbon at the official opening of the Calliope Kindy. Photo Helen Spelitis

“That’s why we are 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 5 years,” Minister Butcher said.

“Here in Gladstone, that means 837 of kids will get reduced price kindy, with 263 of those getting it completely free,” he said.

In Gladstone, 1100 children will benefit from the investment annually which was lauded by the Minister as the “most significant funding overhaul” in the sector for more than a decade.

The Minister said he was also “proud” that kindergarten participation had risen significantly in the sunshine state over the past 15 years.

Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher celebrated alongside the kids of the Calliope Kindy shortly after it’s opening. Picture: Helen Spelitis

Queensland’s kindy participation rate has risen from 29 per cent in 2008 to 96 per cent currently.

The package also includes an expansion of the Kindy Uplift program, and extra funding for children with disabilities.

Per year, $19m will be used to support families of children with a disability, so they can participate in community or long day care kindy.

There are 10 service providers in the Gladstone region that are currently part of the Kindy Uplift program.

Minister Butcher says 837 children will benefit from reduced priced kindy while 263 will get it for free. Picture: Dan Peled

The Uplift program means service providers can tailor personalised programs and support to each child, with additional funding used to provide a dedicated support worker or professional development for staff.

Education Minister Grace Grace said an additional 11 services in Gladstone would be invited to join the program as part of the announcement.

“(The) Government is delivering not only an increase in funding, but funding that is clearly targeted to assist those who need it the most,” Minister Grace said.

“We’re investing in our youngest Queenslanders, we’re investing in our families, and we’re investing in Gladstone’s future,” she said.

More than 14,000 Queensland children will benefit from free kindy while a further 26,000 will have their fees subsidised. Picture (generic): Derek Moore

Total investment in kindy for the next two years (2023, 2024) will be $307m accounting for federal government funding.

Originally published as Palaszczuk Government announces $1b investment in kindy, subsidising fees for over a thousand Central Queensland kids