3 and 4 Year Old Kindergarten Programs
At Wantirna South Early Learning Centre, we proudly offer fully funded Victorian Government ‘Free Kinder’ programs for 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten. Our Kindergarten is delivered within our integrated Long Day Care setting and led by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, ensuring a high-quality, play-based learning experience.
We ground our Kindergarten programs in the belief that children learn best through play, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
We take a play-based, inquiry-led approach, where children are encouraged to explore their interests, ask questions, and develop a deep understanding of the world around them. Learning is not rushed instead, it is thoughtfully extended over time, allowing children to build confidence, persistence, and a genuine love of learning.
At the heart of our philosophy is a strong focus on social and emotional development. We prioritise helping children to develop:
- A strong sense of identity and belonging
- Confidence in group settings
- Emotional regulation and resilience
- Positive relationships with peers and educators
This intentional approach shapes everything we do at Wantirna South Early Learning Centre, creating a nurturing environment where every child is supported to thrive. Discover more about our philosophy and the values that guide our approach to early childhood education.
Intentional Learning Through Play
Children are supported through intentional, play-based learning experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Across daily experiences, they are encouraged to explore ideas, ask questions, and develop confidence as capable and engaged learners. Alongside this, children are introduced to early STEM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through hands-on, play-based experiences. Whether investigating the natural environment, building and constructing, exploring patterns, or solving problems collaboratively, children develop curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of how the world works.
Our 3 & 4 Year Old Kindergarten programs are guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and delivered by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, ensuring a structured yet flexible approach across key developmental areas, including communication, well-being, and early literacy and numeracy.
We recognise that every child is unique. Our educators design learning experiences that are responsive to individual strengths, needs, and interests, while also intentionally building the skills children need for their next stage of learning.
As children progress from 3-year-old to 4-year-old kindergarten, there is a natural evolution in the program, from a strong focus on social development and emotional security, to fostering independence, agency, school readiness, and more complex problem-solving skills.
Above all, our Kindergarten programs aim to instil a lifelong love of learning, where children feel capable, curious, and confident as they take their next steps toward school and beyond.
Our curriculum is further enriched through two signature programs that are embedded into children’s everyday learning. Both programs are led by dedicated educators and specialists, ensuring children benefit from rich, intentional learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom environment. Find out more about our curriculum below.
Enriched Learning Experiences Beyond the Classroom
We enrich our Kindergarten programs with a range of engaging, hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and real-world skills. These experiences fall within the centre’s additional programs such as the Playground to Plate Food Garden Program, Art Studio, Bush Kinder, Music/Movement, along with thoughtfully planned excursions and incursions that extend children’s inquiry-based learning. Our team of dedicated educators and qualified specialists deliver each of these experiences as an integral part of our curriculum.
Together, these programs ensure children have a well-rounded, engaging learning experience, developing creativity, confidence, and practical skills that extend beyond the classroom and support a smooth transition to school.
Music and Movement
Children engage in activities that develop gross and fine motor skills, coordination, rhythm, focus, and mindfulness.
Bush Kinder
Outdoor learning experiences in natural environments encourage curiosity, problem-solving, environmental awareness, and risk-taking.
Excursions & Incursions
Planned trips and visitors extend learning, encouraging exploration, social skills, and independence.
School Readiness Initiatives
As children approach primary school, we introduce practical, hands-on activities that ease the transition to school.
Qualified and Experienced Educators
Our Kindergarten programs are led by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, supported by a consistent team of highly experienced educators. We believe that strong, trusting relationships with educators are the foundation of confident, engaged learners. That’s why we prioritise:
- Continuity of care – familiar educators everyday help children feel secure and supported
- Intentional teaching – educators guide learning with purpose, tailored to each child’s needs and interests
- Ongoing professional development – our team stays up to date with best practices, ensuring high-quality education and care
Our team combines expertise, consistency, and dedication to nurture, challenge, and inspire children as they grow socially, emotionally, and academically in a safe and stimulating environment. We invite you and your family to book a tour, meet our dedicated educators, and discover how we support each child’s unique learning journey.
Government-Funded Kindergarten in an Integrated Setting
Eligible families can access the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to reduce their out-of-pocket fees. Families also receive additional support through the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder subsidy, which provides up to $2,101 per child per year (pro-rata).
We apply this funding directly to your account as we receive it from the State Government, where it appears on your statements as the “Victorian Government Free Kinder Offset”. This helps reduce your childcare costs while still giving you the flexibility and extended care hours of long day care.
Funded Kinder Requirements:
- 3-Year-Old Kinder: The Government requires a minimum of 5 hours per week. Families may choose to extend attendance up to 15 hours per week by enrolling across three full days (5 hours each).
- 4-Year-Old Kinder: The Government requires a minimum of 15 hours per week, delivered over at least 3 full days (5 hours each).
Victorian ‘Free Kinder’ Entitlements:
- 3 & 4-Year-Old Kinder (3 days/week): $2,101 credit/year
- 3-Year-Old Kinder (2 days/week): $1,400.66 credit/year
- 3-Year-Old Kinder (1 day/week): $700.33 credit/year
We deliver our programs within long day care hours (6:30am–6:30pm), providing families with flexibility and convenience. Our all-inclusive care model ensures children receive five nutritious meals daily, along with nappies, wipes, bedding, and sunscreen, everything needed for a seamless day.
Our team can assist families in understanding eligibility, funded hours, and how this works with CCS, ensuring parents have a clear picture of costs, entitlements, and scheduling options.
A Strong Foundation for School and Beyond
Our Kindergarten program builds children’s confidence, skills, and independence so they can thrive on their first day of school and beyond. Through our integrated, play-based curriculum, children develop essential school readiness skills, including:
- Independence and self-management as they learn to follow routines, organise their belongings, and participate in group activities
- Social confidence and emotional resilience as they build positive relationships with peers and educators and learn to manage their emotions
- Early literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving through hands-on, meaningful learning experiences
- Our program mirrors the rhythms of school, helping children become familiar with structured routines, classroom expectations, and collaborative learning, all within a supportive and familiar environment.
Start Early, Settle Sooner
Beginning kindergarten in a long day care setting helps children:
- Settle more easily into routines
- Form friendships earlier
- Build confidence and skills over a full year of learning
Guided by qualified Early Childhood Teachers and an evidence-based curriculum, our program supports a smooth and confident transition to school for both children and families. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a tour, feel free to call or email us. You can also book a tour here. We’d love to welcome your family to Wantirna South Early Learning Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our integrated Kindergarten programs, care, and enrolment.
What is an integrated Kindergarten Program?
At Advance Early Learning Centres, our Government Approved Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Programs are delivered as integrated programs within our long day care environment. This provides children with a seamless progression through their early learning journey, from infancy and toddlerhood through to Kindergarten and ultimately school.
Rather than starting again at each stage, children can continue growing within a familiar and trusted environment, surrounded by educators, friends and routines they already know. This continuity provides a sense of comfort, security and belonging, while allowing each new learning stage to build naturally on the experiences, relationships, skills and confidence developed in the years before.
As children progress into Kindergarten, our qualified Early Childhood Teachers and teaching teams can build on what they already know about each child – their strengths, interests, developmental milestones and individual learning goals – supporting a connected and intentional progression towards school readiness.
What is the difference between sessional Kindergarten and an integrated Kindergarten Program?
Both programs deliver a Government Approved Kindergarten curriculum, led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).
The key difference is how and where the Kindergarten program is delivered. At Advance Early Learning Centres, our integrated Kindergarten Programs are delivered within our long day care environment.
This provides families with the benefit of continuity of care, familiar educators and peers, extended hours and access year round including school holidays, with your child able to participate in their Kindergarten program as part of their broader long day care experience rather than needing to manage separate Kindergarten and long day care arrangements.
Why do families choose an integrated Kindergarten Program?
Many families choose an integrated Kindergarten Program because it provides the best of both worlds – a high-quality Government Approved Kindergarten Program within the familiarity and convenience of a long day care setting. Children benefit from:
- Continuity of care throughout the year, including school holidays.
- Familiar educators, teachers and learning environments.
- Consistent daily routines that help children feel safe, secure and confident.
- Extended opening hours that support busy families.
- Nutritious meals prepared fresh onsite.
- A seamless combination of education, care and play in one familiar environment.
How does an integrated Kindergarten Program support my child’s learning?
At Advance Early Learning Centres, learning doesn’t begin and end during dedicated Kindergarten sessions. Our educators and teachers work collaboratively throughout the day to support each child’s individual goals, interests and developmental needs. This connected approach ensures every experience – whether it’s during play, mealtimes, outdoor exploration or intentional teaching, contributes to your child’s learning, confidence and development.
Will my child participate in incursions, excursions and additional programs?
Yes. Children enrolled in our integrated Kindergarten Programs enjoy a rich variety of learning experiences throughout the year, including regular incursions, excursions and embedded additional programs that extend and enhance the Victorian Government Approved Kindergarten curriculum.
Depending on the centre, these may include programs such as Playground to Plate®, Art, Music, Language experiences, cooking classes, sustainability initiatives and community excursions, all designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.
How does an integrated Kindergarten Program prepare my child for school?
Our Kindergarten Programs are intentionally designed to support children’s transition to primary school by developing the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to thrive. By remaining in a familiar environment with educators and teachers who know them well, children benefit from consistent support, personalised learning and strong relationships throughout their Kindergarten journey. This continuity helps build resilience, independence, social and emotional confidence, and the foundations for lifelong learning.
Do you offer both Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten?
Yes. Advance Early Learning Centres offers Government Approved funded Kindergarten Programs for eligible three and four-year-old children, delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
Is your Kindergarten Program Victorian Government Approved?
Yes. Our Kindergarten Programs are approved by the Victorian Government and delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers in accordance with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).
Who teaches the Kindergarten Program?
Our Kindergarten Programs are led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers who work alongside our educators to deliver engaging, play-based learning experiences tailored to each child’s individual strengths, interests and stage of development.
What will my child learn in Kindergarten?
Our play-based Kindergarten Programs are designed to nurture the whole child and support development across all learning areas, including:
- Social and emotional development
- Independence and self-help skills
- Physical well-being and motor development
- Confidence, resilience and school readiness
- Critical thinking and inquiry
- Language, literacy and numeracy
- Creativity and imagination
- Problem solving
Learning experiences are intentionally planned around each child’s interests while supporting the outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. Our Kindergarten Programs are led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers who work alongside our educators to deliver engaging, play-based learning experiences tailored to each child’s individual strengths, interests and stage of development.
Is your Kindergarten Program play-based?
Yes. We believe children learn best through play and inquiry. Our teachers intentionally design engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that encourage children to explore, investigate, create, collaborate and solve problems. Through purposeful play, children develop the knowledge, confidence and skills that support their learning, school readiness and beyond.
How do you support each child’s individual learning and development?
Every child learns differently. Our teachers and educators work together to observe, document and plan learning experiences that reflect each child’s strengths, interests and developmental goals. Because our Kindergarten Program is integrated within our long day care environment, every interaction throughout the day contributes to your child’s learning journey.
How do you keep families informed about their child’s progress?
We believe strong partnerships with families are essential. Families receive regular updates about their child’s learning and development, including observations, learning stories, developmental discussions and opportunities to connect with educators and teachers throughout the year.
Are Victorian Government Free Kinder offset Credits Available to lower my child’s cost of care?
Yes. Children who participate in Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs through an approved long day care provider of Victorian Government Approved Kindergarten such as Advance Early Learning Centres can access Free Kinder offset Credits of up to $2,101 per kindergarten year.
Can my child complete their funded 3 or 4-Year-Old Kindergarten program at more than one centre?
No. Victorian Kindergarten funding can only be claimed at one approved kindergarten service at a time.
Does Child Care Subsidy (CCS) still apply to lower my child’s cost of care?
Yes. If your family is eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS), it will continue to apply to your child’s eligible long day care fees. CCS is applied first, followed by the Victorian Government Free Kinder offset, helping to reduce the amount you pay.
When should I enrol my child in Kindergarten?
We recommend joining our waitlist as early as possible to maximise your opportunity of securing your preferred commencement date and days of attendance.
How do I know when my child is eligible to start Kindergarten?
Eligibility is determined by your child’s date of birth and Victorian Government funding criteria. Your child must be 3 as at 30 April in the year that you wish for them to commence 3YO Kinder or they must be 4 as at 30 April in the year that you wish for them to commence 4YO Kinder.
Can my child complete both Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten with Advance Early Learning Centres?
Yes. Many children complete both years and we highly recommend continuing with Advance Early Learning Centres for both funded Kindergarten years where possible. This allows our educators and teaching teams to build on the knowledge they have already developed of your child, including their individual strengths, goals, interests and developmental milestones.
The seamless transition from Three-Year-Old to Four-Year-Old Kindergarten means the work already underway to support your child’s development can continue, with educators building on their progress and intentionally supporting the skills, confidence and independence they need for a successful transition to school.
What does a typical Kindergarten day look like?
Every day combines intentional teaching, play and inquiry-based learning and meaningful everyday experiences. Children participate in:
- Government Approved Kindergarten learning experiences
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Group learning and collaborative projects
- Literacy and numeracy experiences
- Creative arts and music
- Nature-based learning
- Incursions and excursions
- Enrichment programs like Playground to Plate® and our Arts & Languages Programs
- Healthy meals and rest opportunities
Every experience is thoughtfully planned to support children’s learning, well-being and development.
How do you support children’s well-being?
Children thrive when they feel safe, valued and connected. Our educators create nurturing environments where children develop secure relationships, build resilience, gain confidence and develop a strong sense of belonging.
What does school readiness look like at our service?
Preparing children for school begins long before each child’s Kindergarten years. Every experience, skill and relationship developed throughout the early years contributes to a child’s readiness for kindergarten and, ultimately, for primary school. From infancy, our educators work in partnership with families to support each child’s individual learning journey.
Together, we identify goals based on each family’s aspirations, priorities and their child’s interests, ensuring learning experiences are meaningful, purposeful and responsive to each stage of development. This collaborative approach provides consistent support from a child’s earliest years through to their transition to Prep. Through play, interactions with peers and relationships with trusted educators, children develop confidence, independence, communication and social skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging. They also build positive learning dispositions, along with the early literacy and numeracy foundations that support future success at school.
As children progress through their 3 and 4-Year-Old Kindergarten programs, these foundations continue to strengthen through intentional teaching and enriching experiences that foster curiosity, critical thinking and a love of learning. Our educators work closely with families throughout this time to monitor each child’s progress, celebrate achievements and tailor learning experiences to support their continued growth.
We work collaboratively with families and local schools to ensure every child experiences a confident, positive and successful transition into primary school. At the conclusion of each child’s journey with us and upon completion of their 3 and 4-Year-Old Kindergarten years, our 4-Year-Old Kindergarten educators prepare a comprehensive summative assessment that reflects each child’s learning, development and readiness for school. Families are encouraged to share this assessment with their child’s primary school, helping teachers gain valuable insights into the child’s strengths, interests and learning journey, and supporting a smooth and informed transition to Prep.
Can I tour an Advance Early Learning Centre before enrolling?
Absolutely. We encourage all families to book a personalised tour to meet our team, explore our learning environments, experience our Kindergarten Program firsthand and ask any questions about your child’s early learning journey.
How will my child participate/enrol in Kinder at Wantirna South Early Learning Centre?
Children already enrolled at Wantirna South Early Learning Centre will be given the opportunity to progress into the Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs as they become age eligible, ensuring continuity of learning, relationships and educational experiences.
As part of this transition, families will complete the Victorian declaration to confirm their child’s funded kindergarten enrolment at Wantirna South Early Learning Centre and enable the appropriate allocation of free kindergarten funding as part of the Vic Gov Kinder Annual Confirmation process.
As part of our annual re-enrolment process, conducted each August, families are invited to discuss their child’s upcoming kindergarten year with the service. This includes confirming their preferred attendance pattern, identifying the days they wish their child to attend, and sharing their aspirations and goals for their child’s learning, development and well-being during their Three-Year-Old or Four-Year-Old Kindergarten year.
These conversations enable our teaching team to plan proactively, support each child’s individual learning journey, and ensure the kindergarten program responds to the needs and priorities of children and their families.
