April 3rd, 2026Transforming Four-Year-Old Kinder
Four-year-old kinder is changing – and for families in 12 more LGAs across Victoria, that change starts now.
After commencing the new program in six LGAs last year, it has now kicked off in an additional 12 LGAs across regional Victoria.
Children will still go to the same kinder they know and love, but with more hours – between 16-30 every week.
For some children this means double the amount of early education before they start school.
More than 130 funded kindergarten services now offer the expanded program, with more than 3,000 children set to benefit.
Families will save up to $2,700 per child – money that stays in family budgets instead of going towards kinder fees.
The 12 new areas joining the rollout in 2026 with up to 20 hours of kinder are:
- Benalla Rural City
- Buloke Shire
- Corangamite Shire
- East Gippsland Shire
- Horsham Rural City
- Loddon Shire
- Mansfield Shire
- Mitchell Shire
- Pyrenees Shire
- Strathbogie Shire
- Wangaratta Rural City
- Wodonga Rural City
This builds on last year’s rollout in Ararat, Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack – where more than 500 children are now receiving more kinder hours through Pre-Prep programs.
In addition to the expansion into 12 new LGAs, children from priority cohorts across Victoria are now eligible for the extra hours of learning.
This includes Aboriginal children, those from refugee backgrounds and children who have had contact with Child Protection.
Find out more about Free Kinder at vic.gov.au/free-kinder.
