Fees & funding
Free Kindy — 5 days per fortnight
Kindy Program
Children enrolled in our Queensland Government approved Free Kindy Program attend five days per fortnight (30 hours). Our team of qualified early childhood teachers enables us to offer the Free Kindy program, so eligible families pay no daily fees for their child’s education.​​
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Eligibility:​
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Children who turn 4 by 30 June in their Kindy year.
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Commitment to attend the full 5-day-per-fortnight program.
Hours: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm, school term time.
Fee: Free – funded by the Queensland Government
$118.79/day less Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Kindy + Long Day Care
This option provides wrap-around care for working families, combining long-day care with the Queensland Government-funded Kindy program.​ Families are charged the daily long-day-care rate of $118.79, which covers the full day of care including the Kindy program delivered within those hours.
The Kindy component is free for families — it is funded directly to our centre by the Queensland Government. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is then applied to the daily rate, reducing your total out-of-pocket cost. Most families pay considerably less once their CCS is applied — often between $25 and $60 per day, depending on their CCS percentage.
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Care hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Kindy hours: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Daily fee: $118.79 /day less Child Care Subsidy
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Both the Free Kindy funding and the CCS are automatically applied to your account once your enrolment is confirmed through Centrelink.
$118.79/day less Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Day Care
For children aged 3 to 6 years who are not yet in the Kindy year, we offer high-quality early learning and care from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Families pay the same $118.79 daily rate, with the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reducing the actual amount paid. Your CCS percentage is determined by Centrelink and applied automatically once approved.
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Eligibility:​ Ages 3-6 and toilet trained
Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm | 48 weeks per year
Daily Fee: $118.79 /day less Child Care Subsidy
Understanding Funding & Subsidies
Understanding how government funding works can help you plan your childcare costs with confidence.
Free Kindy Funding
The Queensland Government’s Free Kindy program covers up to 15 hours of Kindy each week (600 hours per year) for children in the year before Prep.
Funding is paid directly to the centre, allowing eligible families to access the Kindy program at no cost. If your child is enrolled in Kindy + Long Day Care, this funding is automatically applied to your account.
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Learn about eligibility and funding for Queensland’s Free Kindy program, available to all children in the year before Prep.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Child Care Subsidy is an Australian Government payment that helps families with the cost of approved long day care. Your CCS percentage depends on your family income, your level of activity (such as work or study), and the number of children in care.
Once you’re approved, the subsidy is automatically applied to your Little Gems fees.
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Find details about eligibility, subsidy rates, activity test requirements, and how to claim the Child Care Subsidy through Centrelink.