Deanside Kindergarten

We acknowledge that each child’s journey is different and therefore aim to provide children with diverse learning opportunities and environments that support, enhance and challenge them to thrive. Our play-based programs and curriculum are developed in-line with the National Quality Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework principles.

Our close relationship with Deanside Primary School will provide opportunities for seamless transitions to primary school. With shared resources, co-curriculum planning and regular shared activities across the site, the kindergarten will provide all children with access to rich social experiences.

Our staff

Sparkways has an unequivocal commitment to the health and well-being of all children. All our educators are highly qualified and trained in all matters of child safety and hold the rights of the child at the heart of the work they do. Most importantly, we believe children have a right to be safe, recognised, respected and heard.

Our relationship with you

We welcome all members of the community, and recognise that parents are the first and most important teachers in the lives of their children. Working in partnership with families and community and getting to know about children’s family histories, cultures, values, celebrations and rituals are key to the development of our early learning programs.

Through our Early Years Manager, Sparkways, we also provide families with access to our Family Support Facilitators that are employed in our early learning programs to provide families with additional support, referral to other services or just for a chat.

The needs of families, children, staff and the community are continually changing therefore we need ongoing evaluation to ensure our service is responsive to those needs. We strive to provide an excellent service for early childhood education within our community. It is important to share our knowledge and work collaboratively with community organisations, council, professional support services and local schools. We realise the importance of successful transitions between preschool and school and take an active role in preparing for these transitions. We strive to provide an excellent service for early childhood education within our community.

Children build on their understanding about the world through their interactions with other children, adults and their environment.

The educational program is guided by:

The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. (VEYLDF). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework For Australia.

The educational program contributes to the following outcomes for each child:

• Identity – Children will have a strong sense of identity.
• Community – Children will be connected with and contribute to their world.
• Wellbeing – Children will have a strong sense of wellbeing.
• Learning – Children will be confident and involved learners.
• Communication – Children will be effective communicators.

The Victorian Government provides funding to support children to access a high quality kindergarten program in the two years before they start school. This helps to ensure all Victorian children get the best start in life.

From 2023, the Victorian Government is making kindergarten programs free for three and four-year-old children – saving you and your family up to $2,500 per year for their program. Free Kinder is a critical component of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reform.