Victoria – “Kinder: Best Start, Best Life” and Pre-Prep
Looking for a high-quality kindergarten near you? G8 Education offers government-approved 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten programs at our long day care centres across Victoria. Delivered by bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, our programs support your child’s development in literacy, numeracy, confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing—giving them the best start to school and life.
From 2026, Pre-Prep will be offered at selected Centres all eligible 4-year-old children for up to 20 hours per week. Eligible children from priority cohorts will be able to access Pre-Prep at all our Centres across Victoria for up to 25 hours per week.
Under the Victorian Government’s “Kinder: Best Start, Best Life” initiative, your child may be eligible for “Free Kinder” saving your family up to $2,101 annually. This subsidy is applied directly to your service fees and helps reduce your out-of-pocket costs after the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is applied – equivalent to around $40 in savings per week.*
Pre-prep is coming!
G8 Education is proud to support the Victorian Government’s early childhood education reforms by offering Pre-Prep at selected centres. This initiative is part of the plan to gradually increase funded kindergarten hours for 4-year-olds from 15 to 30 hours per week.
Starting in 2026, Pre-Prep will be available at all G8 Education centres across Victoria for children identified as part of a priority cohort. This extended program provides children with more time to develop essential skills for a confident and successful start to school.
Pre Prep is part of Free Kinder and offers additional savings for your family up to $3,501 annually, equivalent to $67 in savings per week.
We’re excited to be part of this important journey and will continue to share updates as the rollout progresses.
Benefits of Kindergarten at G8 Education centres:
Kindergarten at G8 Education centres offers more than just early learning. It’s a place where your child can grow, explore, and thrive in a supportive and enriching environment. Our benefits include:
- Up to 15 hours FREE per week for eligible 3-year-old and 4-year-old kinder
- Up to 25 hours FREE per week for eligible Pre-Prep children from priority cohorts (starting 2026)
- Extended hours and full-day care, 5 days a week
- Open all year round (except public holidays)
- Fresh meals prepared on-site daily
- Excursions and extracurricular programs at no extra cost
- Music and Movement program delivered in partnership with QUT
- Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers and individual learning plans
Find a Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten near you
Estimate your Kindergarten fees
Want to see how much you could save with Free Kinder and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)? Use our Victoria Free Kinder Calculator to get an estimate of your weekly out-of-pocket costs at our long day care centres. Simply enter a few details to see how government funding could lower your kindergarten fees.
Why two years of kindergarten matters
Research from Australia and around the world shows that two years of quality, play-based early education has a greater impact than one, particularly for children who may benefit from additional support. Studies have found that children who attend at least two years of kindergarten are more likely to:
- Start school with stronger language, early reading and maths skills
- Show greater independence, focus, and self-regulation
- Achieve higher grades in literacy and numeracy later in life
- Develop better social behaviours and emotional resilience
The early years are crucial for brain development. By age five, a child’s brain is already 90% developed. Kindergarten helps children build the skills they’ll use at school and beyond, including how to manage emotions, build friendships and stay focused during learning.
The Victorian Government continues to invest in early childhood education through the Best Start, Best Life reform. You can learn more about the initiative here.
What do all these things look like in our Kinder Programs?
- A school readiness curriculum that builds foundations for each child’s transition into the learning areas and outcomes of the Australian School Curriculum.
- Individual learning and development plan for each child.
- Family–Teacher check-ins with summative assessments and transition to school statements.
- Numeracy and literacy focus through play-based and intentional teaching strategies.
- Relationships and connection with local primary schools.
- Excursions, in-centre activities, and community walks.
- Children’s morning meetings and show-and-tell to develop confidence and a positive self-image.
- Library book borrowing to support literacy development.
- STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
- The Arts – 2D and 3D visual arts, music, dance and media.
- Self-regulation through rhythm and movement.
- Extended opportunities through longer days to develop social skills, resilience, curiosity and a love of learning for life.
Frequently asked questions
To receive the VIC Government Best Start, Best Life Kinder subsidy, your child needs to turn either 3, for the 3-year-old Kinder program, or 4 for the Pre Prep and/or 4-year-old Kinder program, on or before 30th April 2024, and be enrolled in an approved funded Kindergarten for a minimum of 2 days a week. It is important that families complete an enrolment declaration form to nominate your the centre at which you will receive the free kinder subsidy.
4-year old kindergarten is becoming pre-prep, starting with 6 local government areas from 2025. There is no difference between the program offered for 4-year-old kindergarten and Pre-Prep. Pre-Prep offers children more hours to learn and socialise through play. 3-year-old, 4-year-old kindergarten and Pre-Prep are all part of Free Kinder.
The Victorian Government subsidises the cost of your fees for 15 hours a week in kindergarten and up to 25 hours a week for Pre Prep priority cohort.
For Pre Prep, this is up to a value of $3501 or for Kindergarten up to $2101 per child, per annum.
Our Early Education and Care Centres offer integrated program sessions of either 9 hours, 10 hours, or full days.
Eligible families can claim CCS for the additional hours and days their child attends our integrated program that is outside of the hours funded by the Government.
See the example below:
| ‘Free’ Kinder Subsidy | Pre Prep Kinder Subsidy |
|---|---|
| $2,101 or $40.40 per week
Example: |
$3,501 or $67 per week
Example: Susie attends 4 days a week and the family’s gap fee after CCS is applied is $150.00. |
Priority Cohort are identified as children who:
- are 4-years-old and/or;
- who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, from refugee or asylum seeker background,
- who have had contact with child protection,
- who were supported by Early Start Kindergarten (ESK), or Access to Early Learning (AEL) in three-year-old kindergarten year.
These children may be eligible to access a Pre Prep Program for up to 25 hours per week in all our Centres. Please speak with your Centre Manager for more information.
Weekly credits will be applied to your account from February. Pro Rata rates apply for children starting kindergarten from March.
The benefit of attending a G8 Education long day care centre is our enhanced learning program combines play-based long daycare programming plus the government approved Best Start, Best Life Kindergarten program. Our program runs 5 days a week for 52 weeks of the year. During the period where the government funded kindergarten does not apply, your CCS will reduce your out-of-pocket expense.
The government subsidised kindergarten hours apply to 15 hours a week which can be applied over 52 weeks.
The Victorian Government will subsidise 15 hours per week over, 600 hours per year which can be applied over 52 weeks (minimum 2 days per week). As a long day care provider, we offer a 5 day per week program and your child can attend more than 2 days per week. If you are eligible for the Childcare Subsidy (CCS), the CCS will apply on these additional days and reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Attending 2 days or more supports your child’s learning, development and wellbeing to experience a successful school transition as a more confident and engaged learner.
Attending kindergarten at G8 Education centres means your child will benefit from our enhanced learning program that combines play-based long daycare with the VIC Government funded kindergarten.
Busy families will be reassured with year-round care that develops holistic school readiness. More than numeracy and literacy, our program fosters emotional and social development and resilience and self-regulation for healthy bodies and minds.
A qualified Early Childhood Teacher delivers the program in line with the National Quality Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework, supported by qualified educators.
Our program offers an enhanced learning experience by combining G8 Education’s play-based long day care with the Victorian Government’s “Best Start, Best Life” funded kindergarten program.
Families benefit from:
- Extended hours to support busy schedules
- Nutritious meals provided daily
- Year-round care, including school holidays
- Continuity and consistency with one centre meeting all your child’s early learning and care needs
Children thrive in a familiar environment with consistent educators and peers, helping them build strong relationships and confidence as they prepare for school.
No, the Victorian Government only allows a child to be enrolled in one funded Kinder program at any time. This is why families are required to complete the enrolment declaration form. Please refer to the 2025 enrolment declaration form and the 2026 enrolment declaration form.
At G8 Education centres, we offer families year-round programming. The funded kindergarten program is based on a calendar year, which recommences each year in January.
No, the free kinder subsidy from the Victorian Government is allocated to your account after the Childcare Subsidy is applied. The percentage of CCS or activity hours your family is entitled to will not change or be impacted.
At G8 Education centres, we offer families year-round programming. The funded kindergarten program is based on a calendar year, which recommences each year in January.
No, before and after school care (or OSHC) is not part of the funded kindergarten program.
ACCS will continue to be applied to your fees, there is no change to this arrangement. If you are eligible for ACCS then you are not be eligible to receive the free kinder subsidy. Eligible children can still be part of the funded kindergarten program.
Great news! Even if you are not eligible for CCS, you are still entitled to “Free” Kinder subsidy from the government. Outside of these hours, normal fees will apply.
*Free Kinder funding is subject to specific requirements and child eligibility. Funding is available when a qualified Early Childhood Teacher delivers the Kinder program and is subject to scheduling and staffing resources. Please contact your Centre Manager to confirm program availability.