Kindergarten services or long day care providers?
So, which service works best for your family?
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Kindergarten services to suit you
Historically, kindergarten programs were offered primarily at community kindergartens. Now they are also delivered at purpose-built centres on state and non-state school sites.
These services generally run two kindergarten programs with a maximum of 22 children in each.
While exact hours can vary with each centre, they tend to run a six-hour day program (e.g. 8.45am-2.45pm), five days a fortnight, with premises closed during school holidays.
Kindergarten services are generally not-for-profit organisations. They charge fees and often fundraise to complement State Government funding. There might be a kindergarten service at your local state or non-state school. This means your child may be able to continue on at the same premises when they begin formal schooling.
You can find a centre near you using the Early Childhood Education and Care Search.
Kindergarten at a long day care centre
The long day care option provides longer hours of care, so may suit parents who are in paid employment or studying. Long day care services also offer care during school holidays.
Parents who access a kindergarten program at a long day care centre may be eligible for the Child Care Rebate and the Child Care Benefit.
My child is in the kindy room at day care? Is that an approved kindergarten program?
Some long day care centres use the word 'kindy' as a general label to help identify the age of the children in the room.
To ensure your long day care centre offers a government-approved kindergarten program, look out for the ‘kindy tick’ or go to the Early Childhood Education and Care Search tool.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Kindergarten in QLD: An overview
Kindergarten teachers and parental involvement
How your child learns through play
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For more information or to find your nearest Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program provider, visit www.qld.gov.au/kindy or phone the Kindy Hotline on 1800 4 KINDY (1800 454 639).
For
more information in a language other than English, ask for an
interpreter when you phone the Kindy Hotline - 1800 4 KINDY (1800 454
639).
