Vic kinder confusion ends for parents

The confusion is over - families in drought-stricken Victorian regions will get the free kinder classes they were promised.

Premier Daniel Andrews got applause when he told a local meeting in Birchip in November families would get free classes in 2016.

But local kindergartens started billing parents after they heard nothing more from the government.

Hours after the Nationals grilled Mr Andrews on it in parliament's question time on Wednesday, the government announced it was going ahead with free kinder for 10 local council regions.

"We are acutely aware that the effects of drought are felt beyond the farm gate and that's why we're making sure children don't miss out accessing a kinder education," Children's Minister Jenny Mikakos said.

She blamed a "coalition misinformation campaign" for many families being sent bills for their children's first weeks at kinder.

Farming mum Kim Griffiths said she was disappointed when she got the bill after hearing what the premier had said in November.

"It didn't cross my mind that you would say something and not follow through on it," she told AAP about the comment on Wednesday.

The Education Department originally told local parents and kindergartens that free classes would be means-tested against eligibility criteria.

That's out the window now, with all families in Buloke, Yarriambiack, Loddon, Northern Grampians, Horsham, Hindmarsh, Gannawarra, Pyrenees, Central Goldfields, and West Wimmera eligible for free classes.

Ms Griffiths said everyone suffered in drought, not just farming families, so having a bit of extra money floating about would make a real difference to communities.

"This is good news for rural families but it shouldn't have needed the premier to be shamed on the floor of parliament to deliver his promise," Nationals leader Peter Walsh said.