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Two young children, a girl and a boy, play together with toy kitchen utensils and a large black pot in a classroom setting.

Three year old kindergarten

Our play-based child care and kindergarten programs enable young minds to flourish

Our kindergarten programs for 3-4 year olds

Starting your child's kindergarten journey at 3 years gives children extra time to learn, play and grow at their own pace.

Our teachers get to know every child really well and work closely with families to help children build confidence, make friends and discover what they love.

Through play and hands-on learning, children develop the skills and love of learning that help them feel happy, capable and excited when it is time to start school.

Young boy wearing a blue cap plays with a colorful wooden alphabet puzzle at a classroom table, with an abacus and educational materials nearby.

3 Yr Old Kindergarten

The kindergarten years are a time of curiosity, confidence and possibility. As children prepare for school, they continue to strengthen their independence, build meaningful relationships and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to become capable learners. Our kindergarten program provides children with 15 hours of funded kindergarten each week, delivered by bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers and supported by experienced educators. Building on the strong foundations established throughout their early years, the program fosters children's social and emotional wellbeing while strengthening resilience, confidence, communication, independence and a strong sense of identity and belonging. Through purposeful play, intentional teaching and meaningful relationships, children continue to develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions that prepare them for a successful transition to school and a lifelong love of learning. Guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), our play-based, inquiry-led program encourages creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving while supporting each child's individual strengths, interests and development. Through intentional teaching, meaningful play and rich learning experiences, children continue to develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions that support a confident transition to school and a lifelong love of learning.

Young girl smiling at the camera while sitting on a colorful classroom rug, with children listening to a teacher reading a book in the background.

What happens each day

Every day in our kindergarten program is thoughtfully planned to balance child-led exploration with intentional teaching, creating meaningful opportunities for every child to learn, grow and thrive. Children participate in a rich variety of experiences that reflect their interests while building the skills, confidence and dispositions for lifelong learning. Alongside our evidence-informed Y School ReadY Program, children engage in creative arts, music and movement, STEM learning, physical activity, outdoor exploration, nature play, literacy and numeracy experiences, and inquiry-based learning that encourages curiosity and critical thinking. Community connections are an important part of our program. Children regularly participate in incursions, excursions, cultural celebrations and experiences that strengthen their understanding of the world around them while fostering a strong sense of belonging, citizenship and connection to their local community.

Several young children wearing sun hats smiling and playing together on playground equipment outdoors on a sunny day.

Our learning environments

Our kindergarten learning environments have been purposefully designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of learning. Children have access to engaging indoor and outdoor environments that encourage investigation, collaboration and imaginative play. A diverse range of open-ended resources, literacy and numeracy experiences, STEM learning opportunities, creative arts and natural play spaces support children to extend their thinking, explore their interests and develop new skills every day. Led by bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, our learning environments are intentionally planned to challenge, inspire and encourage each child while supporting their individual strengths, interests and readiness for school.

An adult and two young children are building with LEGO bricks at a table in a classroom setting.

A smooth transition

Our two-year kindergarten program provides children with the time, continuity and opportunities to build strong foundations for lifelong learning. Across both the three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten years, children are encouraged to develop confidence, independence, resilience and a genuine love of learning at a pace that reflects their individual strengths, interests and development. Working in partnership with families, our bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers intentionally build on each child's learning from year to year, ensuring continuity and progression throughout their kindergarten journey. Through meaningful play, inquiry-based learning and intentional teaching, children develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions that support a confident transition to school and beyond. As children prepare for their next chapter, we collaborate with families, local schools and the wider community to create positive transition experiences that help every child feel familiar, capable and excited about starting school. By celebrating each child's unique journey and recognising their individual achievements, we ensure they leave kindergarten with the confidence to embrace new opportunities and continue their love of learning.

Two young girls in bright green shirts play at a pretend kitchen counter with play food, jars, and dishes under a decorative overhead trellis.

Early Start Kindergarten (ESK)

Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) provides eligible three-year-old children in Victoria with 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten each week. Children must be three by 30 April and meet eligibility criteria, including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity, refugee or asylum seeker background, or involvement with Child Protection Services. ESK provides additional support and helps children transition into Pre-Prep the following year.

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Three young children sitting on cushions with colorful face paint designs, including a tiger, Spiderman, and a unicorn.
A woman helps a young girl with a coloring activity at a classroom table, emphasizing focused learning in an early childhood educational setting.
A teacher and two young children engaging in a hands-on activity at a table in a bright, colorful classroom.
A teacher and two young children work together with LEGO bricks on a table in a classroom, focusing on creative building and learning activities.
Colorful classroom with wooden play furniture, a table set with toy cupcakes, and international flags hanging above. Bright, child-friendly learning environment with open-ended play areas.
Children performing a dragon dance indoors, holding a colorful dragon costume and smiling, with classroom decorations and a television in the background.
Children wearing green vests and hats walk in a line on a sunny sidewalk, led by an adult in an orange safety vest, surrounded by greenery.
Smiling young child sits on a play mat, reaching toward a floating yellow scarf as an adult encourages and interacts with them in a colorful indoor playroom.

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Nurturing children to become independent, lifelong learners.

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