Free kindergarten ‘seriously considered’ by Queensland Government ahead of state budget
Kindergarten could be made free to thousands of families across Queensland, under a cost-of-living shake-up.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the measure was being “seriously considered” ahead of the state budget next month.
The move would save families save thousands a year, with the premier warning of an “increasing gap” in the development of children who attend kindergarten and those who skip it.
“We want to close the gap,” she said.
Kindergarten is currently free for 14,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and is cheaper for another 26,000.
Palaszczuk said it was important to expand that number by relieving the cost of living pressures.
“These early years are so important,” she said.
“What we hearing from our prep teachers is that there is a big gap between those children who have had kinder and those who have not.
“We want to know what you think, will this cost of living measure help you and your family?”
The state budget will be handed down June 13.
