CENTRAL Victorian kindergarten providers have welcomed the state government's plan to roll out free kindergarten in 2021.

Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled the $169.6 million policy on Tuesday, saying the government wanted to support working mothers in particular.

Under the plan, subsidies would be offered to early childhood services providing funded kindergarten programs.

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That would mean free kinder for four-year-olds and eligible three-year-olds attending a participating sessional kinder.

The move was expected to save families about $2000.

Shine Bright chief executive Suzi Sordan said the news was a welcome surprise.

"It came very unexpectedly but we're very excited," she said. "I think the families will definitely benefit from it next year. It's definitely a good support."

Ms Sordan said the changes would mean four-year-old kindergarten would be free to all families in 2021.

At Shine Bright, three-year-old kindergarten programs were only funded in the Campaspe region so those programs would be free next year.

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Ms Sordan said Shine Bright's three-year-old kindergarten programs in the Bendigo and Swan Hill area did not fall into that category, but there would be reduced fees for those families.

She said the announcement could benefit centres.

"We expect we might see some more enrolments next year," she said. "We have already had families contact us with their queries.

"We expect more enrolments, which potentially means we will need to review models for next year. We might need to open additional groups or increase class sizes. But time will tell what that looks like."

The government also announced grants would be made available to allow more schools to provide before and after-school care.

Education minister James Merlino said the policy would mean out-of-hours care would be available at almost all government schools.

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Kindergarten will be provided free of charge in 2021, the state government has announced.

Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled the $169.6 million policy on Tuesday morning, saying the government wanted to support working mothers, in particular.

"It's all about supporting families... to have that sense of confidence they can provide for those they love the most," he said.

The move is expected to save families about $2000.

"Not only will free kinder save families thousands of dollars - it'll get more kids into kinder, back early childhood services and workers, and help support more parents, especially women, into the workforce," early childhood minister Ingrid Stitt said.

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The government also announced grants will be made available to allow more schools to provide before and after-school care.

Education minister James Merlino said the policy would mean out-of-hours care would be available at almost all government schools.

The state budget will be handed down later this month.

Mr Andrews also commented on the day's coronavirus statistics. Victoria has now gone 11 days without a new COVID-19 infection being recorded.

There remain four active cases in the state. Two people are being treated for the virus in hospital.

He also welcomed news of progress on a vaccine for the virus, although he cautioned it would need to go through a "rigorous process" before being made available to the public.