Premier Daniel Andrews announces free preschool for Victorian families in 2021

Preschool services will be made free for Victorian families next year in a $251 million move to drive more parents – particularly women – into the workforce.

Preschool services will be made free for Victorian families next year as part of a $251 million push to have help parents save money and encourage women to get back into the workforce.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the 2020-21 Victorian budget would deliver up to $169.6 million to make preschool free in 2021, saving families about $2000 for every child enrolled in a participating funded preschool program.

Under this investment, subsidies would be offered to early childhood services providing funded preschool programs, meaning free preschool for four-year-olds and eligible three-year-olds.

Mr Andrews also announced reduced fees for families with children attending unfunded three-year-old programs in sessional childcare centres.

Education Minister James Merlino said the before and after school programs would mean more parents were able to enter the workforce. Picture: Andrew Henshaw/NCA NewsWire

“Women have been hardest hit by this pandemic. Real recovery means making sure they’re supported back into work – and the security and stability that affords,” Mr Andrews told reporters on Tuesday morning.

“This investment is dedicated to making the daily juggle of work, school and kinder just that little bit easier.”

The government will also invest $81.6 million to increase before and after school programs.

Grants of up to $75,000 will be made available to start new before and after school programs at about 400 Victorian government primary schools.

Education Minister James Merlino said the move would mean more parents were able to enter the workforce.

“More schools will be able to establish before and after school care programs for students, giving parents greater flexibility when it comes to work, study, training or finding new opportunities,” he said.

Originally published as Premier Daniel Andrews announces free preschool for Victorian families in 2021