Discover our G8 Education Network
Free Kinder for VIC in 2024
Your child could be eligible for up to 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, at no cost, thanks to the Victorian Government’s new “Free Kinder” Program.
Enrol your child in our Government-approved Kinder program
Watch your child’s personality grow as they develop new exciting skills they can use now, at school, and beyond.
Our amazing early childhood teachers follow an approved learning framework that supports individualised learning across numeracy, literacy, creativity, self-regulation, as well as emotional, social, and physical development.
Even better, our curriculum can be tailored to accommodate your child’s individual learning and development needs, which helps boost their enthusiasm, motivation and willingness to learn.
There’s lots to love about our enhanced learning in our specialised kindergarten program:
Encourages new connections and friendships
Helps advance your child’s early language, literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and social skills
Further develops your child’s independence and ability to regulate their emotions and concentrate
Engages gross motor and fine motor skill development
Provides exposure to the diversity of the world around them
Runs year-round with extended hours for busy families
Let us find the perfect local centre for your family
With over 400 childcare, preschool and kindergarten centres across Australia, our Family Support Team can find the right centre for you.
Submit your details here and we’ll be in touch.
We have over 100+ centres across Victoria
Extended hours for busy families
No matter if you’re a parent who works, studies or needs additional flexibility in their day, our enhanced learning program includes access to the Government’s Kindergarten program within a long daycare setting.
Our centres are long daycare providers offering options including up to 9, 10, 11 or 12-hour sessions.
Benefit from our combined Kindergarten and Long Daycare program with 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year FREE! *
The Victorian Government is offering 15 hours per week for the 40 weeks of subsidised kinder each year.
The out-of-pocket cost of Kinder for 40 weeks of the year will be subsidised by the Victorian Government and reduce your out-of-pocket fees after your CCS is applied.
During the 12 weeks where the free Kinder subsidy is not applied, your CCS will be applied to your fees to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Our centres are long daycare providers offering options including up to 9, 10, 11 or 12-hour sessions. The Victorian Government subsidised Free Kinder program is delivered during these sessions.
Disclaimer: This Program proposes to subsidise 15 hours a week (or 600 hours a year) of government-approved kindergarten programs for eligible children. Please note the information above may be subject to change once further details of the “Free Kindergarten” Program have been released by the Victorian Government. Please visit www.vic.gov.au/kinder for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Australia, sessional kindergartens or preschools are usually operated by local government, religious organisations, schools, private organisations or the community. They usually run during school term and school hours, meaning the program runs for 40 weeks per year, with most sessions finishing up around 2 pm, over 2-3 days per week.
The kindergarten or preschool program is also offered in long day care centres. Most long day care centres are open from 7:00 AM. to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday with flexible drop-off/pick-up times to better accommodate busy working families. Long day care centres run 52 weeks per year, meaning your child would not miss out on valuable learning opportunities during school holidays.
Nutritional meals and snacks are covered in long day care centres, so you don’t have to worry about packing lunches.
Child Care Subsidy still applies when your child attends the kindergarten or preschool programs offered in long day care services. Depending on your state or territory, different funding options can be combined with your Child Care Subsidy savings, making kindergarten or preschool more affordable for your family.
Essentially, there is no difference between the curriculums adopted by long day care and sessional kindergarten or preschool providers. They are both run by qualified early childhood teachers, and they all align with Early Years Learning Framework, focusing on supporting individual children’s development, interests and needs through play-based and intentional learning experiences.
If your child is already settled at a long day care centre, they have the opportunity to stay in a familiar environment, transitioning together with their friends.
G8 Education has over 400 centres across Australia and 100+ centres in Victoria. You can find a centre near you by using our map search tool above. Simply enter your postcode and click search to get started. You will be provided with a list of all centres surrounding your desired location.
The best way to get accurate availability for G8 centres is to speak with our Family Support team either through Live Chat on the website or by calling them on 07 5644 6900.
G8 Education owns 21 well-respected and recognised early education brands across Australia. Together, we are one team of 9,500 dedicated, passionate and supportive team members and experienced educators committed to empowering children and helping them develop and grow.
Our approach to early childhood education, high-quality programs and services, as well as our operational policies and procedures are consistent across all G8 brands. Every child in our care is individually nurtured and supported throughout their learning journey. The quality of education and care that our families receive is consistent across every G8 centre.
The government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) aims to make early learning more affordable for eligible families. How much subsidy your family is entitled to will depend on how much ‘work related’ activity you and your partner undertake each fortnight. Learn more about the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) by downloading our eBook here, watching this explainer video here, or if you know the desired G8 brand of the childcare centre you are interested in, read more on the brand website and use our handy calculator.
All our kindergarten programs run every day of the week. This means families have the flexibility for their child/ren to receive the highest quality learning experiences on days that best support them.
We offer families choices when it comes to how they can book a tour. Booking a tour is encouraged as it provides families with the opportunity to see the centre, meet our teams and have all your questions answered. You can book a tour;
- Online at any time. All available time slots are conveniently displayed for you to choose one that is most convenient for you and your family.
- Book a tour using Web Chat. Here you can speak with our Family Support team, who will book the tour at the time most convenient for you.
- By calling our Family Support team on 07 5644 6900
- Or you can simply walk in and visit the centre of your choice!
What’s a virtual tour?
A virtual tour gives you a guided walk-through of your chosen centre, on your preferred device (desktop, mobile or tablet). The tour is hosted by Centre Manager. This gives you the opportunity to see the centre and meet the Centre Manager if you are out of area or if you can’t attend in person.
Most of our G8 child care centres are open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm on weekdays. However, some centres open earlier or close later to support your busy family life! We encourage you to contact your local centre about their opening times using our Web Chat or calling our Family support team on 07 5644 6900.
Each day children enrolled in our kindergarten rooms can participate in the kindergarten program across the day. All our centres are Long Day Care which means your child/ren can enjoy our engaging learning environments during our extended opening hours every day of the week.
All our kindergarten programs follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), a national learning framework for Australia. These programs are informed by qualified and passionate Early Childhood Educators and Teachers. Our Curriculum accommodates each individual child’s learning, development, and well-being.
Kindergarten provides a unique time for children to further develop their positive dispositions to learning, oral language skills, and social/emotional and physical capabilities.
To learn more about the wonderful learning opportunities at the centre of your choice, reach out to the Centre Manager.
At G8 Education, we are here to give your child the best start to early learning, from kindergarten to pre-school and day care. Our experienced educators offer inspired play-based learning that helps children develop social and emotional skills, motivation to learn, STEM, language and numeracy skills. Family and community, creativity, and curiosity about the world are all part of the foundation for a successful educational journey.
With over 400 early learning centres to choose from, finding child care near you has never been easier.