FOR PARENTS/CARERS
What is Kindergarten (Kindy)?
Kindy is offered for children in the year before they start Prep (i.e. children who turn 4 by 30 June).
A quality Kindy program is play based and will help to prepare your little one so they are ready to start school. Kindy runs for 15 hours a week for 40 weeks, or one school year and is delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Kindy can be delivered in a number of ways, either at a Long Day Care Centre or a standalone kindy.
| MY CHILD WAS BORN | MY CHILD CAN ATTEND KINDY |
| 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 | 2023 |
| 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 | 2024 |
| 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 | 2025 |
| 1 July 2021 to 20 June 2022 | 2026 |
| 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 | 2027 |
The benefits of Kindy
Kindy is an important part of your little ones’ education and will give them the best start in life. In Kindy your child will take part in play-based learning to develop lifelong skills such as:
- Expressing their ideas and feelings through language, art, dance and play
- Making friends and getting along with others
- Independence and confidence
- Self-discipline
- Problem solving
- Literacy and numeracy.
Contact the Deadly Kindies team
If you would like to speak to one of the Deadly Kindies team members, send an email to:
info@deadlykindies.com.au
How the Deadly Kindies program works
The Deadly Kindies Program is based in Queensland and aims to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children attending kindergarten.
Deadly Kindies provides a Deadly Kindies Kit to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander little ones who are up to date with their 715 health check and are enrolled in any Queensland Government approved kindy.
To participate in the program, you need to do the following:
Find a Kindy
To be eligible for a free Deadly Kindies Kit, your little one needs to be enrolled in any Queensland Government approved kindy.
Enrol
Many kindies accept enrolments all year. Some accept children at any time; others may have a waiting list. You can put your little one’s name on a waiting list before they are old enough to attend.
When you enrol you may be asked to provide:
- The child’s name and address, and details about their parents, carers or guardians
- Details of any special requirements (e.g. disability or food allergies)
- Proof of date of birth (e.g. birth certificate or passport)
- Health and immunisation status
- Details of the people allowed to pick up your child.
How much does Kindy cost?
Did you know that from the 1st of January 2023 Kindy may be free for Mob?
This is thanks to the Queensland Government, who are investing $1 billion over five years to support children to take part in Kindy!
Kindy is free for Mob enrolled in a stand-alone Kindy and cheaper for those enrolled in Long Day Care services.
To find out if you and your family are eligible for free or cheaper Kindy click here: Kindy savings website
Get a health check
It’s important that you book your little one for their annual 715 Health check at a participating clinic.
A health check at your local Aboriginal Medical Service is a great way to make sure your child is healthy and ready for Kindy. A health check can identify any problems that might get in the way of learning, such as a hearing or eyesight problem and then provide medical or therapeutic support for those issues.
If necessary, your local clinic can provide access to a range of child therapy services that will help get your child ready for Kindy.
Get your Deadly Kindies Kit
To be eligible for a Deadly Kindies Kit, your little one needs to be up to date with 715 Health Check plus you need to be able to provide evidence to your local clinic that your child is enrolled in any Queensland Government approved kindy. Evidence can include:
- A kindy fee statement
- Confirmation of enrolment letter
- If you satisfy both the 715 Health Check and kindy enrolment requirements, you can pick up a free Deadly Kindy Kit from your local participating clinic.
If you have any questions about obtaining a Deadly Kindies Kit, give the Deadly Kindies team a call on (07) 3648 9500 or info@deadlykindies.com.au and they will provide you with assistance.
What’s in the kit?
The free Deadly Kindies Kit includes items your little one will need for a great start at Kindy, including:
- Sun safe hat
- Backpack
- Blanket
- Cot sheet
- Lunch box
- Water bottle
- Deadly Kindies shirt.
Resources
The Deadly Kindies team have put together a comprehensive collection of resources for parents and carers to help keep their little ones busy and entertained at home. Explore our library of videos, activities and ways to learn through play either through the links below or via our YouTube channel.