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Our Philosphy
We believe that the first 5 years of a child’s learning and development is a transformational time that grows and cultivates the foundations for ongoing learning, connection, participation, contribution and contentment. To ensure the best start in life our educational programs are developed on children’s lived experiences, individual capabilities, strengths and interests. Sparkways recognise Aboriginal peoples as Australia’s First Peoples and embed stories, history, traditions and cultures into everyday learnings. |
Our Spaces / Environment
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.
Begin the Adventure at Murnong Kindergarten
Inclusions
- Natural play spaces
- Incursions
- Community walks
- Positive and thorough transition to school
- Working in partnership with local primary schools
The Patterson Drive Kindergarten team are an experienced team with many years of knowledge and early years education practice. The team consists of both three and four year old early childhood teachers and Certificate 3 Diploma qualified staff.
Our team is diverse and all have special interests in a range of areas, such as STEM, positive education, cooking, the arts and language. We are a community focused service with partnerships with Donnybrook Primary (in which we are co-located). It is our vision to continue to grow with the Donnybrook community and become an integral part of the children’s and families lives.
Timetables
2024 Timetable for 3 Year Olds
Multi-age Group A
• Monday & Wednesday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Multi-age Group B
• Wednesday & Thursday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Multi-age Group C
• Monday & Thursday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Multi-age Group D
• Tuesday & Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm
2024 Timetable for 4 Year Olds
Multi-age Group A
• Monday & Wednesday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Multi-age Group B
• Wednesday & Thursday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Multi-age Group C
• Monday & Thursday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Multi-age Group D
• Tuesday & Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Fees
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. |
FAQ's
Can I attend two different funded kindergarten programs?
The Victorian Government provides funding to support children to access a high quality kindergarten program in the year before they start school. The funding is a contribution towards meeting the cost of the kindergarten program.
Your child can only be funded for a kindergarten place at one service at any one time and only for one year (unless your child is assessed as being eligible for a second funded year by your child’s kindergarten teacher).
At what age can my child attend kindergarten?
Patterson Drive kindergarten offers a play based program multiage for 3 and 4 year old children. Your child will need to be 3 years old or 4 years old by the 30th Of April in the year that you intend to send them to our program
Whittlesea City Council manage the 3 year old and 4 year old enrolment application process.
Do we need to bring food to kindergarten?
At Patterson Drive Kindergarten the children bring along a healthy snack and lunch with their labelled water bottle each day.
We use meals times at Kindergarten as a time to come together and share stories and learnings from our day.
If my child attends a kindergarten for three year old, will they automatically receive a place for four year old the following year?
No they are not guaranteed a place the following year, attendance at three year old kindergarten is not a criteria for placement at four year old kindergarten. Families will need to follow the application process as per Whittlesea City Council enrolment policy.
