What do these centres offer?
Early Learning Victoria centres will provide a holistic educational experience that integrates long day care with Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs.
Deciding where to send your child will be based on a variety of factors, including services available in your community, and what works best for your family and your child. Considerations such as location, facilities, educational approach, and the overall environment of the childcare centre will play a crucial role in making your decision. It is important to research and visit different options to ensure you find the right fit for your child's needs and your family's preferences.
Integrated kindergarten programs
At our centres, the kindergarten program will usually be integrated with long day care. Our integrated kindergarten programs will operate for a minimum of 48 weeks each year, guaranteeing convenient access to quality education and care for your child and family.
In both our long day care and integrated kindergarten programs, we will offer high-quality early childhood environments that support all children’s learning and development needs, embracing each child’s unique strengths, abilities, and interests.
Rich learning opportunities
Our educational programs will provide rich learning opportunities, with a focus on children learning through play, connecting with nature and enjoying positive relationships with educators and teachers and one another. Our practices will be evidence-informed and based on contemporary research, supporting children to thrive.
Inclusive and connected to the local community
Our centres will be inclusive, integrated and connected to the local community. They will be co-located with schools and other community services to foster collaborative relationships and support continuity of learning.
Qualified workforce
We recognise the importance of our early childhood workforce. Qualified early childhood teachers and educators will deliver kindergarten programs and childcare services at all our centres.
Kindergarten programs will be led by an early childhood teacher. Teachers have attended university and have a bachelor’s degree.
All teachers work with qualified educators, who hold a Certificate III or Diploma qualification.
Wages and conditions at Early Learning Victoria centres will be consistent with industry benchmarks for high-quality services.
Early childhood educators and teachers will be guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). The framework is used to guide teaching, plan experiences, and support the educational program to meet the individual learning needs of all children.
Educational practice at these centres will also be guided by the National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
Long day care
Our long day care service will offer a full 11-hour* day of play-based learning and care for children from birth to 6 years of age.
*subject to change based on local need.
Long day care education and care programs will support the developmental needs, interests and experiences of each child.
Our centres will also offer an integrated kindergarten program, helping to provide children and families with care that extends to school holidays. Our centres will remain open during these periods, providing continuity of your child’s education and development and supporting parents to work or keep other commitments.
Kinder
Kindergarten is an important part of your child’s learning and development journey. Children attend a kindergarten program when they are 3 years old and 4 years old, before they start school. The kinder program is led by an early childhood teacher. Participation in a kinder program for 2 years can help children develop a range of skills so they thrive at both school and in life.
A high-quality kindergarten program will offer your child a range of educational experiences and activities to support their development in a stimulating social environment.
Three-Year-Old Kinder programs are for between 5 and 15 hours each week. Four-Year-Old Kinder programs are for 15 hours.
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep
From 2025, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will gradually become Pre-Prep. Programs across Victoria will increase from 15 to 30 hours each week, by 2036.
Like Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, Pre-Prep programs will empower children to learn through play. Providing a longer program of quality play-based learning in the year before school will give 4-year-old children even greater access to the many benefits of early childhood education.
Benefits of kinder
Children who attend a kinder program develop strong social skills and a love of learning, are more independent and confident and more likely to have a smooth transition to primary school.
Improve social skills, language development and foster imagination through play-based learning
Learning through play helps children explore, solve problems, communicate and create, while forming positive relationships and making friends - abilities that will help them at school and in life. In early learning environments, qualified teachers and educators design and set up purposeful play-based programs that provide children with opportunities to explore, experiment, question and discover new concepts about the world in playful ways.
Supporting children’s identity and cultural diversity
Kinder programs welcome children and families from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Teachers and educators are welcoming and support all children and families in a culturally safe environment. Families’ culture and identity is celebrated through centre events and the educational program, including supporting children and families to bridge language differences.
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