Free Kinder in Victoria 2026 — what Essendon families need to know

For families in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Aberfeldie, Airport West, Niddrie, Avondale Heights, Keilor East, Ascot Vale and the broader Moonee Valley area, the Victorian Government's Free Kinder initiative can fundamentally change what you pay for early childhood education. From 2023 onwards, eligible children can access up to 15 hours of government-funded kindergarten per week — at zero cost to families. My Stars Early Learning Essendon opened in 2025 and is a fully approved Free Kinder provider, meaning your child can access those funded hours as part of our high-quality full day care program.

What is Free Kinder and how does it work?

Free Kinder is a Victorian State Government program designed to make quality early education accessible to all families, regardless of household income. It funds kindergarten hours for 3-year-olds (up to 5 hours per week) and 4-year-olds in the year before school (up to 15 hours per week). The program runs through approved childcare and kinder providers — not just standalone kindergartens. My Stars Essendon is approved for both age groups, which means families can access the funded hours as part of a full day care arrangement.

The way it works in practice: the centre claims the funding from the Victorian Government on your behalf. Your weekly fee statement shows the Free Kinder credit applied against the funded hours. You see the saving directly — there are no rebate forms to submit and no separate applications to lodge.

Who qualifies in 2026?

• Children turning 4 before 30 April 2026 — eligible for the 4-year-old program (up to 15 funded hours per week)
• Children turning 3 before 30 April 2026 — eligible for the 3-year-old program (up to 5 funded hours per week)
• No income test applies — Free Kinder is available to all eligible Victorian children
• Child must be enrolled at an approved provider (My Stars Essendon qualifies)
• Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can apply on hours beyond the Free Kinder allocation

Free Kinder and Child Care Subsidy — how they work together

Many Essendon and Moonee Ponds families are surprised to learn that Free Kinder and CCS can both apply to the same child. Free Kinder covers the funded hours (15 hours at 4-year-old kinder level) at no cost. Any additional hours your child attends beyond those 15 hours are subject to the regular fee — and on those hours, your CCS entitlement reduces what you pay. For a family using 45 hours per week of care, for example, the combination of Free Kinder and CCS can bring the out-of-pocket cost down significantly.

Families from Strathmore Heights, Niddrie, Airport West and Keilor East have found this particularly valuable — the ability to place a child in full-day care at a quality centre, knowing that funded kinder hours and CCS together make the cost genuinely manageable. Our team will always walk you through the real numbers before you commit to enrolment.

Which suburbs does My Stars Essendon serve?

My Stars Essendon is centrally located and accessible for families across the inner-north and inner-west of Melbourne. We regularly welcome families from Essendon, Essendon North, Essendon West, Aberfeldie, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights, Airport West, Niddrie, Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Avondale Heights, Keilor East, Ascot Vale, Flemington, Maribyrnong and Travancore. If your morning commute takes you through or near Essendon, it's worth calling us to discuss whether the drop-off fits your routine.

Step-by-step: how to access Free Kinder at My Stars Essendon

1. Contact My Stars Essendon to check availability in the 3-year-old (Green Room) or 4-year-old (Orange Room) program
2. Confirm your child's date of birth — we'll verify their Free Kinder eligibility on the spot
3. Complete enrolment and provide your child's CRN from Centrelink (if you don't have one, we'll help you apply)
4. We register the enrolment with the Victorian Government and claim the funding on your behalf
5. Your fee statement reflects the Free Kinder credit — no forms, no waiting for rebates

Questions Essendon families ask us most

Can I use Free Kinder at a long day care centre or only at a standalone kinder?

Both. Free Kinder is available at approved long day care centres like My Stars Essendon, not just at dedicated kindergartens. This is important for working families who need full-day care, not just a 15-hour-a-week session program.

My child is only 2 — do I need to think about this yet?

Yes, actually. Essendon and the surrounding inner suburbs are in high demand for childcare places. If your child is under 2, now is the right time to register interest so you're in our system when the 3-year-old program places open. Free Kinder will apply when they reach age 3 — but you need a place first.

What if I'm not sure of my CCS entitlement?

We can help you work through this. CCS is assessed by Centrelink based on your family's income and the number of hours of approved activity you and your partner undertake (work, study, training, volunteering). Our team can guide you through the estimation — the Department of Education's CCS estimator is also a useful starting point.