Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.

Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My question is for the Minister for Children and is about free kinder in my electorate of Wendouree. How many children and their families are benefiting from Victoria’s free kinder program across the Ballarat local government area?

I remember the cost of kinder when our girls attended our local kinder. It was a financial balancing act at a time when we did not have much money in the kitty. Free kinder is a great support for families, and with savings of up to $2600 per child each year, it is a real help to the household budget. I am also proud that our government is opening more kinders across Victoria, including a new kinder being built in Sebastopol, which will open in 2026.

I look forward to hearing how free kinder is helping families across my community.

Response from the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Children (2 September 2025) –

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her strong commitment to and advocacy on behalf of children and families in the Wendouree electorate.

I am advised as follows:

Free Kinder is available in all communities across Victoria, with over 97 per cent of funded kindergarten services participating. This means that more Victorian children can have the best start in life, no matter where they live. Free Kinder ensures that cost is not a barrier to participation.

Free Kinder is supporting families of 3- and 4-year-old children with savings of up to $2,627 in 2025. Families with children accessing kindergarten at a sessional (standalone) service receive a free program of 15 hours per week for 4-year-olds and between 5 and 15 hours for 3-year-olds. Children accessing their kindergarten program in a long day care service receive an annual offset of up to $2,101 from their out-of-pocket fees.

In the City of Ballarat Free Kinder is benefiting approximately 2,755 children and their families in 2025.

Watch and read more of my speeches to Parliament here, including responses from ministers on how we’re working for Wendouree.