All of our programs are based on the Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the National Quality Standards to ensure we can provide the best quality educational experience for every child and family. We are very proud to have been assessed as exceeding the National Quality Standards in all seven areas, and will continue to strive for excellence in our programs.

All of our 3-year-old groups—Bluebell, Buttercup, and the new Bottlebrush—operate as combined groups. This means all 3-year-old children attend on Mondays and then on either Wednesday, Thursday, or for both, depending on family preference. The same dedicated teachers work across all three days, with additional teachers joining the group when additional support is needed

Our 4-year-old program offers 22.5 hours per week, providing families with extended learning opportunities beyond the 15 hours available through Free Kinder. The term fee of $690 per term covers the additional 7.5 hours per wekk, but if you would prefer to access the 15-hour free program, we are happy to accommodate. Please feel free to speak with Danni, who can assist with flexible options such as a 1:30 pm finish each day or a 2-day attendance schedule. We're here to support what's best for your family.

While the voluntary contribution is not mandatory, we warmly invite all families who can to consider making this contribution to Gardiner Preschool. Your support is vital in helping us bridge the gap between our government funding and our operating costs, enabling us to offer enriching incursions, exciting excursions, and other enhancements that make our program exceptional. Every contribution makes a difference and helps us provide the best possible experience for your children. Thank you for considering this important support.

At Gardiner Preschool, our programs are designed to be play-based and child-led, embracing the belief that children learn best through experimentation, exploration, and inquiry within a playful environment. We avoid formal instruction like flashcards and worksheets, instead providing a nurturing space where children can naturally grow and express themselves. Our teaching staff observe each child's interests, strengths, and areas for growth. Using these observations, teachers create intentional learning opportunities that build on the children's existing knowledge and interests. For example, if a child brings in a toy dinosaur after a visit to the Melbourne Museum, the teacher might adapt the day's activities to incorporate the child's interest in dinosaurs. In this scenario, the teacher might shift some materials around—moving scissors to the craft table for making dinosaur models from boxes and paper, while replacing the playdough table’s tools with dinosaur-themed items. This approach ensures that while the focus on fine motor skills remains, it is delivered through engaging, interest-driven activities that resonate with the child's own experiences.

At Gardiner, we offer structured routines that maintain flexibility to accommodate individual needs. While children typically transition together in kinder, these transitions are gradual, allowing them to finish their activities before moving to the next routine. Although children usually spend time inside or outside as a group, they often have the option to choose their preferred environment, giving them some control over their day. Meal times are designed to be flexible yet communal. We set up picnic rugs when children show signs of hunger, allowing them to come for morning tea or lunch at their own pace. While this begins as a flexible choice, we often end up enjoying meals together as many children naturally follow suit once one starts eating. We also hold whole-group mat times and smaller group activities to cater to different preferences. For those who may not wish to sit on the mat for extended periods, we provide quiet activities at nearby tables or areas. Children can remain close to the group and rejoin the mat activities whenever they choose.

For morning tea, please send a nutritious snack such as fruit, vegetables, or crackers and cheese. If the snack needs to be cut, please place it in a small separate container. For lunch, we encourage nutritious options with minimal packaging, with a focus on what your child likes to eat. We also have refrigerators and microwaves available in each room for items that need to stay cool or be heated up needed.

At our centre, we are nut-free. This is to ensure everyone’s safety, so please avoid sending any food with nuts or nut products, including Nutella, almond meal, or nuts on muesli bars. If a child has an anaphylactic reaction to a specific food, we will implement a centre-wide ban on that food for the year to protect their safety. For other food allergies, the ban will apply only to the affected room or group. We also develop a risk minimisation plan for any child with allergies or anaphylaxis to outline strategies for preventing exposure. All staff receive annual training on anaphylaxis and auto-injector use to keep our environment safe.

We are a community-run kindergarten, operated by a Committee of Management composed of volunteer parents, and overseen daily by a Nominated Supervisor. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are dedicated to serving our community. We warmly invite any interested parents to join the committee and contribute to shaping the culture of our kindergarten!

Long day care centres provide extended hours from early morning to evening, offering flexibility for working families, but leading to varied drop-off and pick-up times. This can result in children not seeing the same friends regularly and limited opportunities for parents to connect with each other. Additionally, class groups often include a range of ages (e.g., 3-5 years), requiring all activities to accommodate multiple developmental stages. Sessional kindergartens, on the other hand, operate within set hours, with all children arriving and leaving at the same time. This consistency helps children form stable friendships, as they see the same peers every session. Parents also benefit from regular drop-off and pick-up times, which facilitates stronger community connections and networking opportunities. With groups organised by age, sessional kindergartens provide more targeted, age-appropriate activities and learning experiences. We advocate for sessional kindergartens due to their benefits in fostering stable social interactions and community connections, as well as offering tailored educational experiences. (And as a parent-run not-for-profit centre, most of our families tend to find that kinder days are significantly cheaper than daycare days too!)