Our responsibility is approving and regulating services under national and state legislation, including the
National Quality Framework,funding
early years services for children and families, and driving national reforms.
Access to free kindy
Delivering free kindergarten (kindy) education in a
government-approved program, of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, for children in the year before Prep.
Kindergarten programs are offered in long day care services as part of their extended hours of care, or sessional kindergarten services during school hours each school term.
Child safety reforms
The safety and protection of all children in Queensland early childhood education and care services is the highest priority. The department is committed to continuing to work with the sector and other jurisdictions to strengthen safety and quality. Read more about
child safety reforms.
Regulatory priorities
Learn about the
early childhood regulatory priorities for 2025–27, which focus on improving compliance and service quality.
State Delivered Kindergartens
State Delivered Kindergartens deliver free, quality kindergarten programs in rural and remote communities and areas of need.
Early Childhood Workforce Strategy 2025–28
Delivering a
sustainable, qualified early childhood (EC) workforce co-designed with the EC sector.
Successful transitions to school
Promoting a successful transition for children and families from home or early childhood education to school, including
Enhancing K–2 Continuity and Alignment—a blueprint for developing strong connections between kindergarten providers and schools.
Inclusion ready—enhancing practices, pathways and partnerships
Providing evidence-informed resources to support the work of educators and services in the early childhood education and care sector to be
inclusion ready.