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Funded 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten Program

Our structured and evidence-informed Funded Kindergarten Program in Frankston is located within our state of the art Early Learning Centre, offering the added convenience of long daycare.

What is the purpose of kindergarten?

A kindergarten program plays a vital role in a child’s early development, assisting them to develop essential emotional, social, cognitive and physical skills. The skills children learn in a kindergarten program ensure they are ready to start school and thrive.

What are the benefits of Windermere’s kindergarten program?

Windermere’s kindergarten program in Frankston offers your 3 or 4 year old child a structured, evidence-informed learning program, run in a convenient long daycare setting.

Set in a beautiful natural environment, our purpose-built Early Learning Centre flows serenely from indoors to outdoors. Your child's curiosity, enthusiasm and imagination will be fostered amongst the extensive interactive outside play spaces and dedicated creative classrooms.

What your child will benefit from Windermere’s kindergarten program

Your child should have the best start in life, which is why we’ve developed a high-quality kindergarten program with a range of special features: 

• Evidence-informed and structured educational program – run by our fully qualified Early Childhood Teachers, between the hours of 9am and 3pm every day, with allocated time slots for activities, using the latest learning methods.
• Exploration of the outdoors and natural environment – weekly 'Nature and Learn' outdoor classroom sessions.
• School readiness focus – a learning program focused on ensuring children develop a combination of life and school readiness skills.
• Regular excursions – weekly excursions and enrichment activities.
• Access to professional therapists – access to Windermere Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Physiotherapists in Frankston.
• The added convenience of long hours – longer hours to accommodate your working day.
• Sustainability focus – a learning program focusing on sustainability practices and education.
• Partnership with Monash University – excursions to Monash University where children access the rock climbing wall and hockey oval, have access to Occupational Therapy students and to other ground-breaking learning programs.
• State of the art facility - our purpose-built Early Learning Centre flows serenely from indoors to outdoors. 

When can my child start kinder?

Your child can begin 3 year old kindergarten in the year they turn three years of age, if they are born between 1 January and 30 April. 

If you’re unsure when your child can start kinder, use this handy calculator in the Victorian Government Kinder website.

To find out more, enquire below:

The skills your child can expect to learn at Windermere’s kindergarten program:

• School readiness – developing cognitive, language, literacy and numeracy skills. Learning to follow instructions, road safety education and much more.
• Social skills – the ability to make new friends and learn how to play with other children in a calm, sharing and rewarding way.
• Emotional skills & self-awareness - understanding their own feelings and emotions. Building confidence and risk-taking skills.
• Physical skills – gross motor skills, muscle tone, endurance and climbing skills.
• Curiosity – exploring new ideas and concepts.
• Appreciation for the outdoors and natural environment – learning about nature and sustainability.
• Respect – for others and themselves.

Our caring staff work with the unique requirements of each child and are geared to support children with special needs.

Backed by Monash University, we are an organisation that is closely connected to our community and have strong links to other community support services.

An integrated Kindergarten Program model

Outside the formal kindergarten program hours, our friendly teachers in the kindergarten room are supported by Educational Program Leaders, meaning your child's learning can continue.

By extending your child's learning beyond the typical kindergarten program hours, your child will be better prepared for the long hours of school.

Common Kindergarten questions

Below are two of our most frequently asked questions about kindergarten.

What age should my child start kindergarten?

The research is split on the best age to begin Kindergarten. In fact, the evidence about the best age to start Kindergarten is often conflicting. The best approach is to consider your child’s individual needs to determine when he or she is ready to start school.

Kinder fees in 2023

The Victorian Government will subsidise kindergarten in 2023.

This means that if your child attends kinder at Windermere ELC you will benefit from a saving of around $2,000 in fees, while enjoying all the benefits of our long day program.

**Windermere is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people** For more information, see our Protecting Children Policy here.