extended hours kindergarten program

This four and five-year-old Extended Hours Kindergarten program comprises 30 hrs per week of kindergarten program (9 am to 3 pm daily) with the remaining hours each day provided as ‘wrap around care’. The program is delivered by two Early Childhood Teachers providing a ‘team-teaching’ delivery in this program.

The room operates from 7.30 am until 6pm daily incorporating before care, kindergarten (core hours 9am-3pm) and after care programs. This is a five day a week program – individual days are not offered. You may choose to use fewer days, but you will still be charged a weekly fee as the program is fully staffed each day. The success of the program is due to a regular, stable group of children attending the program each day, establishing group cohesion and building a sense of belonging and community. Fees for this program are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy.

The program is a play based, child-initiated curriculum based upon the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) for Australia. We run an indoor-outdoor program for the majority of the day. Each Wednesday the children spend a morning on Elwood foreshore as part of our coastal curriculum. This program operates during Summer, Autumn, Spring and Winter, rain hail or shine. Outdoor play is a feature of our programs, teaching children to explore, experiment and learn in and from the natural environment. Parents are kept up to date with their children’s learning through the app Storypark which will alert you when a new story or plan is added about your child. All children learn and grow at different stages, so each child is planned for around their interests, strengths and needs. This learning is based on the vison of Belonging, Being and Becoming. (EYLF)

Incorporated into each day is time for group learning (stories, music, discussion, dance etc), morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch (children bring their own packed lunchbox) and quiet time (rest, relaxation, mindfulness, yoga, reading).

The large room accommodates 30 children and is staffed by: