Kindergarten Fees
Starting in 2023, all children in Victoria who are 3 and 4 years old can access Free Kinder. This is available at both standalone (sessional) kindergartens and long day care (childcare) centres.
Free Kinder is available in Three- and Four-Year-Old kindergarten programs at all ECKA services.
ECKA kinder programs will receive funding directly from the Victorian Government, so families are not out of pocket (and don’t have to claim the savings back) saving up to $2,500 per child, each year.
- For 3-year-old children, this means a free kinder program of between 5 and 15 hours each week (200-600 hours each year).
- For 4-year-olds, this means a free kinder program of 15 hours each week (600 hours each year).
Your child can only access one funded kinder program at a time. This means that only one service can claim kindergarten funding for your child and pass on the Free Kinder savings.
For further information visit Best Start, Best Life.
ECKAs Fee Policy can be found here.
Childcare/Long Day Care Fees
If your child is enrolled in an ECKA childcare/long day care program (Beaufort Early Childhood Centre or Trentham Early Learning Centre) you will receive a fortnightly invoice via email. Families are expected to pay the gap fee shown on the invoice within 14 days of receiving the invoice and not allow fees to fall more than two weeks into arrears.
The invoice will detail the days and times of attendance in childcare, the Childcare Subsidy (CCS) paid by the government, the weekly gap amount due to be paid and any parent payments. Parents/Guardians will need to assess your ability to pay this gap amount each week for you to take up a place in Childcare.
Fee’s will vary depending on how many hours and children are attending the childcare service.
In 2023 kindergarten programs for Three- and Four-Year-Old children will be subsidised by the Victorian government for all families receiving Childcare Subsidy (CCS). The amount of $2000 will be applied as a discount to families’ childcare invoices over 20 fortnights.
All families attending these services are required to apply for the Childcare Subsidy (CCS) through Services Australia to confirm their eligibility prior to confirmation of enrolment. The following link answers all of the questions you will need to know Child Care Subsidy – Services Australia
More information on current childcare fee prices and enrolling in an ECKA childcare service can be found here.
ECKAs Long Day Care and Free Kindergarten Policy can be found here.
