Kids First Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity running 17 kindergartens across Melbourne’s north and south-east and regional Victoria. As a child safe organisation, we put children’s safety and wellbeing first, with qualified, caring educators who give every child the time, care and attention they need, in a welcoming, inclusive environment that supports their social and emotional development.

Our play-based, evidence-informed Early Years Education Program™ Kindergarten Model is being evaluated with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and every kinder offers Free Kinder for three- and four-year-olds, with Pre-Prep available at selected centres. 

Save up to $2,600 per child each year.

Every Kids First kindergarten takes part in Free Kinder, so your three- or four-year-old can attend a quality, play-based kindergarten program at no cost to your family.

Free Kinder gives more Victorian children the best start in life, no matter where they live. Here’s what’s funded:

• Three-year-olds: from 5 up to 15 hours per week of a kindergarten program
• Four-year-olds: 15 hours per week, or 600 hours a year

That adds up to a saving of up to $2,600 per child, every year. (Source: Victorian Government, 2025)

Before you enrol: a child can only access a funded kindergarten program and Free Kinder at one service. If your child is enrolled at more than one service, you may be required to repay the funding and your child could lose their place.

Kids First kindergartens follow the Early Years Education Program™ Kindergarten Model, a play-based, evidence-informed approach created by our own team. We understand children and dedicate all our efforts to seeing them thrive, and we built this model from that experience.

Independent research, the first of its kind in Australia, shows that the model we developed leads to great outcomes for children: socially and emotionally, as well as in their ability to learn. Since 2021, we have been working with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to evaluate how effective our model is, so families can have confidence in what we do.

Every Kids First kindergarten is built on our own model and led by highly qualified educators who give each child the time, care and attention they need. Because our educators put kids first, you can feel confident your child is set up to thrive.

Learn more abour our evaluation of the Early Years Education Program™ - Kindergarten Model in partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

All of our Early Years kinders use the Kinder Tick as we are an approved provider of a Victorian Government funded kindergarten program. That means your child is taking part in an evidence-informed, play-based learning program that meets government guidelines. Research shows the pre-school years are critical when it comes to supporting learning and development — and that the right support at these ages can help benefit children into their school years and beyond.