The 3-year-old Kindergarten program run duringschool term, is fully government-funded and led by a bachelor-qualified teacherregistered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
3-4 Pre-Kindergarten Learning Environment, aimsto nurture a love of learning that prepares children for their of Pre-schooljourney.
Educators implement the Victorian Early YearsLearning Framework (VEYLF) to ensure each child’s interests, abilities, andstrengths are supported and extended.
Throughout the year, children engage inlearning experiences guided by their curiosities, encouraging growth across arange of developmental areas. Educators foster independence and communicationskills through interest based, intentional teaching and play-basedopportunities, supporting children as they socialise, make decisions, and solveproblems with peers.
Children enjoy the freedom of an indoor/outdoorlearning environment each day (weather permitting), which allows them toexplore, create, and strengthen both fine and gross motor skills in meaningfulways.
At Kids Own, we are strongly dedicated to Early Childhood Education with a passion for hands-on emergent learning, focusing on each child developing and learning in a way that is suitable to their personal learning style. As a passionate Early Childhood team, we pride ourselves on strong and positive interactions with the children, using the environment in innovative ways to ensure each child is able to reach their full potential.
Through the Kindergarten Program, Kids Own endeavours to ensure each child is ready to begin their formal learning journey at school, ensuring the Kindergarten Program is developed to cater for each individual’s unique learning style. This is done in collaboration with families, recognising that a child’s family is their first and most important influence.
We believe in building children’s sense of autonomy and educating them to be confident and capable individuals, able to construct their own learning through our play-based program. We look forward to the year ahead and being part of your learning journey.
The 4–6 year old Kindergarten at Kids Own Early Childhood Learning Centre is a government-funded program. The program is led by an experienced Early Childhood Teacher who is registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
In addition to their teaching expertise, our Kindergarten Teacher is also a certified Mentor, providing guidance and support to newly qualified teachers and final-year university student teachers. This role ensures that children benefit from access to the latest research, innovative practices, and a rich variety of resources, enhancing their learning opportunities.
Children enrolled in the sessional Kindergarten program do not attend during school holiday periods; however, holiday care is available for families if required.
To access the funded Kindergarten program, each child must be enrolled for a minimum of 2 days (15 hours) per week. Families requiring care before and/or after session times are invited to enrol in the Centre’s Long Day Care Program. Please speak with us to discuss your family’s individual enrolment needs.
Please do not send toys, jewellery, or any other treasures from home with your child, as they may be at risk of being misplaced or broken. We ask that all items brought into Kids Own ECLC are clearly named.
Please ensure that the following items are packed in your child's bag:
All your child’s belongings need to be sent in a suitable bag for safe keeping. Back pack bag style is recommended.
Hats must be worn outside at all times, broad-brimmed or legionnaire style. Kids Own Early Childhood Learning Centre policy is “no hat, no outdoor play”.
A water drink bottle.
Young children in this age group require a full set of spare clothing clearly named.
Before enrolling your child in 4-6 kindergarten, you will need to have made the decision that your child will be attending school in the following year. If you are not sure regarding this, we can organise a Parent/Educator meeting with your child’s current Kids Own Educator and one of our Kindergarten teachers. If your child is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, please speak to the staff for further information regarding their Kindergarten eligibility.
Your child must turn 4 before the 30th of April in the year they begin Kindergarten. Children who turn 4 after this date will be able to participate in our Pre-Kinder program. Children who turn 4 after the 30th of April will be enrolled in our 3–4-year-old funded sessional Kindergarten program unless special circumstances apply.
Any children who have asthma, allergies, or anaphylaxis must have an action plan completed by a doctor prior to the commencement of Kindergarten. A communication plan and a risk minimisation plan will be developed and discussed with families at the time of enrolment. Any medication listed on the plan is to be placed in an insulated, clearly labelled lunch box and must be at the service whenever your child attends.
Kids Own Kindergarten appreciates any help or assistance that is offered by our families. There are special event days and excursions that are organised throughout the year. These allow parents and family members to attend the Kindergarten and join in the day’s activities. If you have a special talent that you want to share with the children, we warmly welcome your visit. If you are interested in helping in any way, please speak to the Kindergarten staff.
Progress meetings will be held at the beginning of Term 3 for each family. This is to touch base on how your child has settled in and is progressing at Kinder. If for any reason the Kindergarten Teacher wishes to meet with you regarding your child and their learning, she will contact you to organise a suitable time. Likewise, if you wish to have an additional meeting with the Kindergarten Teacher, you are welcome to request this. At Kids Own, our focus is always on the strengths of all children and creating magical learning experiences that will embed the love of learning for life.
Over the year, the Kindergarten Teacher will have observed if your child is ready to commence school the following year. If, through observations of your child, the teacher feels your child may benefit or be eligible for a second year, then a meeting will be organised with families. Together, the best direction for your child will be discussed, and goals set to assist your child in their learning and development. In order for your child to attend a second year, they must meet the eligibility criteria. This is a process that begins at the end of Term 2.
Arrival: Kindergarten begins at 8:30 a.m. sharp. It is vital you are here on time to ensure the program can begin and run smoothly with minimal disruptions.
Departure: Kindergarten finishes at 4:00 p.m. sharp. Please arrive 5 minutes early so you are ready to collect your child at 4:00 p.m. Once you arrive, please wait in the foyer, and a Kindergarten Educator will assist you with the collection of your child. Please do not enter the room early, as this is disruptive to all the children during end-of-day mat time. For discussions with the Kindergarten Educators, we request that you call us during the day to arrange a time or leave us a note in your child’s lunch box to have a phone meeting at a convenient time during the day. Children who are enrolled in our Long Day Care will remain in the Kindergarten room at the end of the Kindergarten session.
This is an online communication method used for communication between Kids Own educators and Kids Own families. While ensuring our confidentiality policy is at all times adhered to, children’s learning and development are documented both individually and in groups for families to access and provide feedback. This also allows a clear and easy flow of communication between educators and families. Reminders and/or requests are uploaded regularly, and families are encouraged to also use this online system and/or contact the centre should they wish to do so.
Birthday invitations or other communications to other families, please hand these directly to a teacher. We will ensure they are placed in the correct child’s bag.
It is a government requirement that a School Transition Statement is completed for all children who will be attending school the following year. These statements are completed by the Kindergarten Teacher in Term 4. Families are then given an opportunity to have their input into the statement and fill in the Family and Child section. This system is online, and you will be given instructions on completing this at the beginning of Term 4. These will then be forwarded to the school of your choice.
Term fees are due a week in advance. You can pay this amount by EFTPOS at the centre. If fees are not paid within the first 2 weeks of term, your child may not be able to attend. Please speak to our management team if you need to organise a payment plan.
Families who hold a Health Care Card will not be charged fees if enrolled in sessional Kindergarten only. If your child attends Kindergarten through the Long Day Care option, CCS is still applied to your fees and will be billed weekly as usual.
Late Fees apply after 4:00 p.m. – All children must have a parent or guardian who is over the age of 18 years to pick them up at 4:00 p.m. on any Kindergarten day unless enrolled in Long Day Care. If you have not collected your child at 4:00 p.m., there will be a late fee of $5 per 30 minutes. This is a strict policy due to Department regulations relating to staff ratios. We understand that unforeseen circumstances can happen; if you are running late, please call us so we can ensure we have adequate staffing.
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