A Rich, Play-Based Kindergarten Program Designed for School and Beyond

“We confirm Free kinder would be available to families who have booked for 2026 and they are assured their preferred sessions within the program are met.

We are excited to share further clarity around the structure and delivery of our proposed kindergarten program at Mt Eliza House Academy. We understand that many of you are seeking reassurance about the daily timetable, how the program will run, and whether your child will have access to a sessional kindergarten place or a kindergarten place within a long day care setting.

 Our vision is to provide families with the very best of both worlds:

• A high-quality, funded kindergarten program that meets all Victorian Government requirements for sessional kindergarten. Each child will receive their 15 hours of teacher-led learning per week with a qualified Bachelor-trained Early Childhood Teacher, supported by two additional qualified educators. This ensures your child’s program is fully compliant with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

• The flexibility of long day care hours to support working families. The proposed hours of operation will be 7:00am – 7:00pm, giving families the option to access care before and after their child’s kindergarten program. This ensures your child receives the full benefit of an extended kindergarten program, while still allowing wrap-around care for those who need it.

At a minimum, children must complete 15 hours of kindergarten each week. This will be delivered as two 7.5-hour sessions with their teacher, with the proposed core program time being 8:00am – 4:00pm. Families also have the flexibility for their child to attend additional days (subject to availability), providing continuity of learning and care.

This structure allows families who need longer hours of care to access them, while ensuring that every child participates in a recognised funded kindergarten program. Families are eligible for the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life initiative, which provides a rebate (currently $2,050 per child in 2025) for all children completing their 15 hours of kindergarten with a qualified teacher.

We currently deliver a rich and vibrant curriculum that extends well beyond the classroom. Children will experience:

• Bush Kinder at The Briars, Mt Martha, where they engage in risky play, connect with Country, and build an understanding of the land and its stories.

• Beach Kinder at Canadian Bay Beach, where children explore and learn about coastal ecosystems while deepening their connection to the coastal community we live in.

• Our Grandfriends Program at Mt Eliza Gardens, where children build warm intergenerational relationships and share joy with their “grandfriends.”

• Weekly Music and Movement classes, building rhythm, creativity, and self-expression.

• Spanish Lessons, introducing language and cultural appreciation from an early age.

• Sports and wellbeing programs, fostering gross motor skills, teamwork, and confidence.

• Sustainability sessions, helping children learn to care for the environment through hands-on projects.

 In the classroom, there is a strong emphasis on learning through play. Activities and experiences are carefully planned with clear intentions to support children across all areas of development. These include fine and gross motor development, pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills, language and communication, emotional regulation, social and relationship skills, creativity and the arts, STEM milestones, and early self-help and independence skills, all through engaging, play-based methods.

 Educators thoughtfully scaffold and support children through these moments of discovery, encouraging them to make connections, test ideas, and extend their learning. Importantly, educators also document this learning, capturing children’s progress, interests, and achievements. This documentation not only celebrates each child’s unique journey but also guides educators in planning meaningful next steps, ensuring every child continues to thrive. Families are kept connected to this process, seeing evidence of their child’s growth and development.

 Alongside this, we place a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning. This approach encourages children to be active participants in their own learning journey. Instead of being given all the answers, children are empowered to:

• Ask questions about the world around them.

• Investigate problems or ideas through hands-on exploration, experimentation, and research.

• Collaborate with peers and educators to share perspectives and build understanding together.

• Reflect on their findings and think critically about different possibilities or solutions.

 Through inquiry-based learning, children develop curiosity, problem-solving skills, resilience, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. This approach also fosters a sense of ownership and pride, as children see their ideas and interests valued as part of the curriculum, preparing them to become independent, confident learners.

 Preparing for School and Beyond
A key focus of our kindergarten program is ensuring children are confident, capable, and ready for the transition to school. “School readiness” goes beyond knowing letters and numbers and it encompasses the whole child. We support children to:

• Develop independence in daily routines such as dressing, eating, and caring for belongings.

• Build strong social and emotional foundations, including confidence, resilience, and self-regulation.

• Strengthen early literacy and numeracy skills through playful, meaningful contexts.

• Foster a love of learning and curiosity that will carry them into their school years.

• Practice communication and listening skills to engage positively with teachers and peers.

By the time children transition to school, they have experienced a rich, balanced program that nurtures both academic foundations and the social-emotional skills essential for success in the classroom and in life.

We hope this provides clarity on how the program will be structured and the many opportunities available to your child. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further questions, we are here to support you and your child every step of the way.”