Funded Kinder Program

We all have busy lives to live, whether it is work commitments, family obligations, or even that specialist appointment we often see ourselves as time poor. When it comes to Kinder for our little ones, it is hard to make time work for us. Not every family has the flexibility to attend an everyday sessional kinder program. This is where funded integrated kindergarten programs can help.

Funded integrated kindergarten programs have been introduced to long day care services to assist families who are unable to attend a sessional kindergarten program.

Some of the benefits include:

• Flexibility to choose when you drop off and pick up your child
• Convenient opening and closing times, giving you plenty of time to get through that busy traffic, morning or night. No need to organise drop-off or pick-up times with work, family or friends

Your children also get to experience a full day with a set kinder program. Most sessional kindergartens generally only offer a short day program; where as children who attend an integrated kindergarten access the program all day long, assisting in better preparing your child for the longer days when they start school.

One question you may have is: Does my child have the same access to qualified teachers as a sessional kinder? And the answer is, yes.

A fully qualified kindergarten teacher is there supporting your child through their learning; and when it’s time for interactive play, your child will continue their journey with the aid of children’s educators.

We all love receiving those special works of art from the creative minds of our children to keep for future memories. So at the end of each year, your child will receive an individual portfolio of all their learning experiences. This special portfolio gives you the opportunity to see the ins and outs of their daily kinder life. Group activities, individual activities, art works, observations, learning stories, incursions / excursions, photographs, and experiences learned are just a few keepsakes. Your child will love looking through their portfolios and reflect on what they have learnt and have shared with others in their community.

Opportunities for regular incursions happen throughout the year, some of these include:

• Little Woodworkers
• Eat For Life
• BK’s Gym & Swim
• Farmyard Rain Hayne and Shine
• Foost
• Police Victoria
• Didgeridoo Australia Indigenous Culture
• Didgeridoo Australia Indigenous Art
• Didgeridoo Australia Indigenous Meditation
• Didgeridoo Australia Indigenous Dance

Government endorsed transition statements are completed for your child’s new primary school prep teacher and a school readiness program is also run in preparation for the transition into primary school.

The fees for funded kindergarten are incorporated in the service fees, so there is no additional cost to you. You can also claim Child Care Subsidy (CCS) as the program is integrated into the long day care service.

The government stipulates that a child must attend fifteen (15) hours a week to meet the criteria for funded kindergarten. The Kindergarten teacher plans the curriculum around 4 days a week. On Wednesdays the children participate in a music, movement & sports program run by a qualified educator. The curriculum for this session is planned by our music, movement & sports educator. It is encouraged that children attend this session however attending this session does not count towards the child’s funded Kinder hours.

To meet the criteria of attending fifteen hours (15) a week for funded kindergarten, a child can attend from 2 days to 4 days. For a child to attend 2 days they must enrol in the integrated program to meet the requirement of 15 hours a week.