Approved kindergarten programs are designed to meet government guidelines that make sure children take part in quality early childhood education in Queensland.

To become an approved kindergarten program provider you must offer a learning program that is:

• provided for children in the year before Prep (i.e. children who are at least 4 by 30 June in the year they start)
• provided for at least 600 hours a year, or at least 15 hours a week for 40 weeks
• delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.

The learning program must also be:

• an accredited kindergarten learning program based on the Queensland kindergarten learning guideline (QKLG)
• an alternative kindergarten learning guideline accredited by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Read more about accreditation and applying for accreditation for your kindergarten learning program.

Also consider...

• Learn how to apply to become an approved kindergarten program provider through QGrants if you operate a long day care service.
• Learn how to apply to become an approved kindergarten program provider through QGrants if you operate a sessional kindergarten service.
• Look for a central governing body if you operate a sessional kindergarten service.
• Read about statement of fees requirements for approved kindergarten program providers.
• Find out what support is available for approved kindergarten program providers.
• Learn more about Queensland Kindergarten Funding.
• Read about the legal requirements for child care providers in Queensland.
• Find out more about scholarships and grants for the child care and education industry.

There are a number of services available to support you in delivering an approved kindergarten program in Queensland.

Financial assistance

Queensland Kindergarten Funding can help you cover the cost of implementing and delivering an approved kindergarten program. Read more about qualifying and applying for Queensland Kindergarten Funding.

You may also qualify for scholarships or grants from Queensland Government.

Guidelines and advice

The Queensland kindergarten learning guideline (QKLG), which has been updated for 2025, supports kindergarten teachers' and educators' professional practice in a range of contexts across Queensland.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority has developed professional resources for planning, documenting and assessing children's learning and development, sharing information with parents/carers and, with consent, schools, to help you implement the QKLG.

You can also visit the professional development and support and childcare contacts pages for helpful websites, email addresses and hotlines.

Promotional materials

Approved kindergarten program providers who deliver a free kindergarten program for 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, can use branded promotional materials to market their service and encourage enrolments.

The 'kindy tick'

The Free Kindergarten Approved Program provider can display the kindy tick.

The 'kindy tick':

• acknowledges your status as an approved provider
• helps families recognise approved kindergarten programs
• helps you promote your kindergarten program and encourage enrolments.

You'll receive a pack with electronic versions of the kindy tick and a style guide now you are an approved provider of free kindy.

There will be a transition period when both the existing identifier and the new identifier will be in use, and you should refer to the style guide in the pack.

The pack includes the decal 'FREE', so you can modify your existing signage.

Also consider...

• Download the Funded Kindergarten Program Statement of Fees template (DOCX, 594KB) to display and publish your fee structure.
• Find out if you are eligible for Queensland Kindergarten Funding.
• Read about the legal requirements for child care providers in Queensland.