Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to weigh in on whether kindergarten should be free for all children after the state government floated the concept.
The idea of universal free kindergarten was suggested as a cost-of-living-busting measure ahead of the upcoming state budget – and the concept was added on to Queensland’s pre-budget agenda.
The government’s “serious consideration” will follow in the footsteps of states such as NSW and Victoria.
Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt called on locals to share their opinion on “free kindy” and keep the conversation going.
He said feedback from Sunshine Coast residents so far indicated support for the proposal.
“The latest numbers, as of Friday (May 27), were that over 5000 people had responded across the state excited about the prospect of free kindy, with overwhelming 98 per cent support for the idea,” he said.
“At this point in time, the Queensland Government is seriously exploring the idea of free kindy … at the moment we want to have a conversation with Queensland families about this idea and find out what they think about the proposal.
“I am calling for the local community to jump on board and have their say at kindyfunding@qed.qld.gov.au.”
Kindergarten is already free for about 14,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Queensland and subsidised for a further 26,000 under a $1 billion package over the next five years.
But about 8000 kindergarten-age children across the state are still not enrolled.
“Cost of living is front and centre in the minds of families across the Sunshine Coast and kindy benefits not only our kids’ education but also helps families with day-to-day costs and getting back to work,” Mr Hunt said.
“It’s good for the economy, particularly in supporting women to return to work.”
In a recent announcement, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she wanted to close the gap and get more children into “free kindy” to experience crucial play-based learning before entering primary school.
“What we are hearing from our prep teachers is that there is a big gap between those children who have had kinder and those who have not,” she said.
Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said making kindy free would bring more of those kids into the system and would mean that more than 50,000 families would have cost-of-living relief.
Ms Grace stopped short of declaring the policy a sure thing and declined to provide a cost estimate, saying the government wanted to first consult with stakeholders and families.
Related story: Budget wrap: focus on cost of living and health
Victoria and NSW are moving to provide all children in their state with a full year of free education before officially starting school.
Both programs are expected to be rolled out by the end of the decade.
The Queensland Government will look at the various proposed models as a blueprint but Ms Grace pointed out the state’s pre-school system differs to other states.
“We’re more closely aligned with NSW,” Ms Grace said.
“Our delivery mode is definitely one that we can definitely do it but we want to talk to service providers too about how we identify the kindy component in long day care so they get those 15 hours fully funded and free.”
The Queensland state budget will be handed down on June 13.
– with AAP
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
