Kindergarten
At Village Early Education, our 3- and 4-year-old Kinder program in Victoria gives children a place to explore their interests and build confidence as they prepare for school.
Village Early Education’s Kindergarten Program in Victoria is tailored to cater to the developmental milestones of each child in their formative years. Embracing a holistic approach to learning, we provide a supportive environment where young minds can flourish and develop essential life skills.
Preparing Children for a Confident Start to School
Our Kinder program in Victoria supports children to build the confidence and independence they need as they progress through their early learning years and prepare for the transition to primary school.
Social & emotional development
Children build important social skills including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and emotional regulation.
Building confidence & independence
We support children to develop resilience and independence as they prepare for the transition to school.
Strong partnerships with local schools
We work closely with local schools to support a smooth transition into primary school.
Transition statements for families & schools
Families and schools receive detailed transition statements that celebrate each child’s strengths, learning and development.
Why Families Choose Integrated Kindergarten
Discover what integrated kindergarten looks like at Village Early Education
Integrated Kindergarten combines a funded Kindergarten program with the flexibility and continuity of long day care to support the needs of modern families.
One Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Everything in one place, making daily routines easier for families.
Long Day Care Hours
With long day care available from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, our Kindergarten program can fit more easily around work and other family commitments.
Funded Kindergarten Program
Delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers within our long day care setting.
Meals Provided Daily
Healthy meals and snacks included every day.
Inclusive Community
Children and families build strong connections within our centre community.
All-Inclusive Program
Excursions, incursions, meals and learning experiences are included in your enrolment.
Our Curriculum
At Village, our approach is centred around a play-based curriculum that supports children’s natural curiosity and encourages a lifelong love of learning. We create environments that invite children to explore and engage in meaningful experiences each day.
Our centres offer a range of engaging spaces and opportunities, from creative activities to hands-on experiences, all thoughtfully designed to support children’s development. Through our 3- and 4-year-old Kinder in Victoria, we focus on building independence and key skills that support a smooth transition to school.
Our Learning Environments
Our learning environments are thoughtfully designed to support children’s wellbeing and development. Across both indoor and outdoor spaces, we create settings that feel safe and engaging for every child.
We encourage children to create and take an active role in their environment. Through a balance of child-led and guided experiences, educators support each child’s learning in a way that feels natural and meaningful.
Each of our childcare centres in Victoria is designed to offer a mix of comfort and stimulation, helping children feel supported and ready to learn.
Our Meals
We understand the important role nutrition plays in children’s growth and development. As part of our Kinder program in Victoria, we provide balanced, nourishing meals that support children’s health and energy throughout the day.
Our menus are thoughtfully planned using fresh, quality ingredients, creating meals that are both nutritious and enjoyable. By offering a variety of foods, we help children develop positive eating habits and a healthy relationship with food from an early age.
Our Educators
Our 3- and 4-year-old Kindergarten program is led by Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registered Early Childhood Teachers, supported by a team of dedicated educators. Together, they create a safe, supportive environment where children feel confident to learn and grow.
Our educators are passionate about early learning and take a thoughtful, responsive approach to each child’s development, building strong relationships and supporting individual needs.
Our Community Engagement
We connect children with the world beyond the centre through regular incursions and excursions. These experiences might include creative sessions, movement programs, local outings and opportunities to explore the community.
As part of our Kindergarten program in Victoria, we also support children’s transition to school through school readiness experiences. This includes building connections with local schools, helping children become familiar with new environments and supporting their confidence as they move into the next stage of learning.
Your child's development
3 to 4 year old
Village Early Education’s program for 3-year-old and 4-year-old Kinder students is thoughtfully designed to harness each child’s growing capabilities to ensure a holistic preschool experience. You may see your child learning and displaying the following skills:
Physical
- Improved ability to hold and manipulate small objects
- Enhanced balance, coordination and agility
- Dressing themselves
- Using utensils
- Mastering self-help skills
Cognitive
- Vocabulary growth
- Forming more complex sentences
- Constantly seeking answers to questions
- Improved memory retention
- Developing basic problem-solving skills
Social
- Developing empathy and showing concern for others
- Understanding and expressing emotions
- Engaging in imaginative play and role-playing
- Building friendships
- Learning to share and take turns
4 to 5 year old
Kindergarten for 4- and 5-year-olds is a dynamic and enriching environment designed to embrace the distinct developmental journey of young learners. You may see your child learning and displaying the following skills:
Physical
- Increasing precision in drawing, writing, and using tools like scissors
- Improved coordination and balance
- Growing stamina
- Riding a tricycle or bicycle with training wheels
- Establishing a dominant hand
Cognitive
- Enhanced vocabulary and fluency
- Ability to retell stories
- Developing basic reasoning skills
- Understanding cause-and-effect relationships
- Exploring numbers, shapes and patterns
Social
- Forming close bonds with peers
- Resolving conflicts
- Participating in group activities
- Understanding the value of teamwork
- Learning to manage emotions and express feelings appropriately
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, and how does it influence your kindergarten program?
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) is Victoria’s specific curriculum framework for early childhood education. It guides our educational practices by outlining the principles and outcomes necessary to promote children’s comprehensive development. By aligning our kindergarten program with the VEYLDF, we ensure that our curriculum supports cognitive, emotional, physical and social growth, assisting in preparing children to transition to primary school.
How does the funded kindergarten program in Victoria benefit my child?
Victoria’s funded kindergarten program provides funding towards eligible kindergarten programs. At participating long day care services, this funding is applied as a fee offset to reduce the cost of kindergarten for families. This allows us to provide various educational resources and experiences that enhance your child’s learning journey.
What technology is available to parents to stay connected with their child’s progress?
At Village Early Education, we utilise OWNA. This user-friendly app allows parents to stay informed about their child’s progress, view learning goals, manage their child’s enrolment and fees and access weekly menus prepared by our chefs. This tool fosters a strong partnership between home and the centre, ensuring consistent and open communication.
What support do you offer for families applying for the funded kindergarten program?
Best Start, Best Life funding is applied through the Kindergarten service, with Village managing the funding process for eligible enrolments. We work with families to provide information on our kindergarten program and assist in completing any additional information required for the Department of Education. The fee subsidy is applied to your fees and is visible on your statement of account.
What does Free Kinder mean?
Free Kinder is a Victorian Government initiative that helps reduce the cost of Kindergarten for children enrolled in participating funded 3- and 4-year-old Kindergarten or Pre-Prep programs. At participating long day care services like Village Early Education, Free Kinder funding is applied as a fee offset to families’ childcare fees. The funded Kindergarten program forms part of the child’s day, while families can continue to access the additional hours of education and care available through long day care.
How does kindergarten work in Victoria?
In Victoria, children can attend two years of government-funded kindergarten before starting school, beginning with 3-Year-Old Kindergarten and followed by 4-Year-Old Kindergarten or Pre-Prep where it has rolled out. Funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten programs run for between 5 and 15 hours per week, while Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is generally 15 hours, with Pre-Prep progressively increasing these funded program hours. At long day care centres such as Village, the kindergarten program can be integrated into a full day of education and care.
Kindergarten is led by qualified early childhood teachers and uses play-based learning to develop skills that support children at school and beyond. Children have opportunities to build their communication and independence, while exploring early concepts such as language, numbers and problem-solving through play.
Unlike standalone kindergarten, a program delivered through a long day care centre can be integrated into a full day of education and care. This means children can take part in their kindergarten program in Victoria while families also have access to the extended hours offered by the centre.
Does Village Early Education provide support when my child is transitioning to kinder?
Yes. Moving from toddler childcare into kinder is a significant change, and children can respond to the transition in different ways. Village educators take the time to get to know each child and help them become familiar with their new environment and daily routines.
As children settle in, educators can spend time with them individually, introduce them to their new room and help them become familiar with the other children around them. Families are kept involved throughout the transition, with regular communication helping educators understand what makes each child feel comfortable and where they may need some extra support.
How do I get started?
Start by browsing our childcare centres in Victoria to find a Village location that best suits your family. Once you have chosen a centre, contact us to submit an enquiry and arrange a tour. You can look around the centre and learn more about its 3- and 4-year-old Kinder program in Victoria before deciding whether Village is right for your child. From there, you can enrol your child or join the centre’s waitlist if a place is currently unavailable.
It Takes A Village to Raise A Child
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