Great Beginnings Kangaroo Flat

Victoria Kindergarten
4.6 /5
9 reviews

Childcare and kindergarten in Kangaroo Flat, VIC

Welcome to Great Beginnings Kangaroo Flat. Our daycare and early learning centre is located only 5km from Bendigo CBD, making it a convenient choice for local families in Kangaroo Flat, Big Hill, Golden Gully, Golden Square and surrounding suburbs. Great Beginnings Kangaroo Flat offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with extended hours to suit busy families.

Our purpose-built child care and kindergarten centre in Kangaroo Flat provides innovative early learning programs in a safe, nurturing and enriching environment. Our outdoor environments are equipped with age-appropriate resources, including large sandpits, herb gardens, bikes, scooters and trikes. Indoors, we offer large open spaces with natural resources to encourage learning through play and building strong connections. Our early childhood educators create a nurturing environment where children feel supported and secure to achieve their goals. We offer a Government-approved Kindergarten program delivered by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher, ensuring children’s smooth transition to school. We have two active incursions: Hey Dee Ho, a music and movement program for children 6 weeks to 2.5 years, and Kelly Sports, promoting health and teamwork for ages 2.5 to 5 years.

Why you’ll love Great Beginnings Kangaroo Flat

Spacious outdoor environments

Dedicated educators and teachers

Chef-prepared meals

Nappies and wipes provided

Government-approved Kindergarten program

Family communication app

Extended/flexible hours

Incursions/excursions

Music and movements

Sports program

Meet our Centre Manager

Katie

  • Diploma of Children’s Services
“My teaching philosophy is to create a beautiful, safe, and nurturing environment where children can grow, create, and learn.”

I hold a Diploma in Children’s Services and have worked in the education sector since 2005. I pursued a career in early education because I love children. Throughout my career, I have served as an assistant educator, lead educator, assistant centre manager, and centre manager.

My teaching philosophy is to create a beautiful, safe, and nurturing environment where children can grow, create, and learn. I am passionate about making a positive impact on children’s lives.

I believe children are our future, each bringing something unique and special to our centre. My goal is to help them develop their potential by believing in them as capable individuals, assisting them in discovering who they are, expressing their opinions, and nurturing their ideas. This enables them to learn respect and acceptance and embrace their emerging abilities. I promote the environment as the third teacher, creating purposeful classroom settings that encourage children to navigate experiences with curiosity.

I aim for Great Beginnings Kangaroo Flat to be a home away from home, and I look forward to guiding your child to become the best individual they can be.

Read moreless

Our innovative early learning programs

At our early learning centre in Kangaroo Flat, our experienced educators and teachers continually seek innovative ways to enrich your child’s education. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, we offer a variety of engaging and diverse learning experiences, including:

Sustainability

Each age group has access to a herb garden where children use leftover water and take turns using the hose to care for the plants. They also use recycled materials, like boxes and cardboard, for art and craft projects, promoting environmental awareness and creativity.

Sports

Our sports program allows the children to stay active, enhancing their physical health while helping develop their motor skills. By engaging in various activities, children can improve their strength, coordination, and overall well-being.

Inclusion

We create a sense of belonging for your child to ensure they feel heard and empowered to make choices, fostering their independence. We celebrate each child’s unique strengths, helping them to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

STEM

We encourage your child to ask questions, experiment, and problem-solve, all while engaging their natural curiosity. By fostering this inquisitive mindset, we help them develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

summerholidayprogram_webbanner_nov2024.png

Age-appropriate early learning

babies-slider-centre

(0-2 years)

Nursery

Our nursery room is purposely designed to make every baby feel safe exploring and discovering new things. Our spaces are filled with sensory experiences and activities to encourage intentional and responsive play-based learning. We focus on building secure relationships between children and educators, closely following home routines, and supporting each child in meeting their developmental milestones.

  Next: Toddlers
toddler-slider-centre (2)

(2-3 years)

Toddlers

Our toddler room is set up with intentional play-based learning in mind. Within the curriculum framework, play enables your toddler to develop fundamental skills for life-long learning. It also creates the perfect environment to socialise and form friendships. Our activities enhance language skills and promote collaborative group play, laying a strong foundation for their future learning experiences.

Previous: Nursery Next: Kindergarten
kindergarten-preschool-centre-page-gb

Kindergarten

In our kindergarten room, our curriculum is tailored to accommodate your child’s individual learning and development needs, which helps boost their enthusiasm, motivation, and willingness to learn. Through structured learning experiences, our Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers and educators are committed to helping your child gain the necessary skills for a successful transition into school and beyond.

Previous: Toddlers  
kindergarten-1

Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten program

Our kindergarten programs are tailored to meet your child’s individual learning needs across numeracy, literacy, emotional and social development, resilience, and self-regulation.

Our early learning centre offers the VIC Government-approved Kindergarten program, supporting your child’s development and well-being from now, at school and beyond. In Victoria, 3 and 4-year-old children are able to access a funded kindergarten program led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. If eligible, your child will be able to participate in the Government-approved Kindergarten program, at no cost, up to a minimum of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year. Talk to us about how this reduces your out-of-pocket costs.

The added benefits of our kindergarten program include:

  • Extended long day care opening hours
  • Open all year round (excl. public holidays)
  • Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
  • Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation
gb-food-centre-page-648X432

We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating

Thanks to the in-house chef at our Kangaroo Flat child care centre, your child can expect healthy, nutritious, and yummy meals. We offer a rotating seasonal menu catering to all children’s dietary requirements, including halal. Our meals are designed to introduce children to a variety of cultures, textures, and tastes, encouraging them to explore and develop their interest in food.

Take a virtual tour of our centre

What a typical day looks like for your child

typical-day-arrival-648x300-1.jpg

Arrival at the centre

Your child will be welcomed by our team of educators, who will ensure the morning transition from home to centre goes as smoothly as possible. On arrival, share information about your child’s specific needs for the day.

  Next: Mealtimes
typical-day-mealtime-2-648x300-1.jpg

Mealtimes

Our centre chefs prepare a nutritious menu for your child to sit down and eat. This is a great time for everyone to share stories from the day. Educators model healthy eating practices, social behaviours and support children’s growing independence with mealtime routines.

Previous: Arrival at the centre Next: Infant care
typical-day-infant-care-648x300-1.jpg

Infant care

If you have an infant, we spend one-on-one time with them to establish a connection. Educators talk gently and respond to babies’ cues. We use songs, games, and conversations to strengthen relationships and build language skills.

Previous: Mealtimes Next: Play-based learning
typical-day-play-based-learning-648x300-1.jpg

Play-based learning

Your child is naturally curious. They want to learn and explore, which is why we teach through play-based learning. It supports language, motor skills, memory, emotions and social relationships. Educators plan play-based learning experiences based on children’s interests and goals.

Previous: Infant care Next: Sleep, rest and relaxation
sleep-rest-slider

Sleep, rest and relaxation

We match routines to your child’s individual needs. Opportunities for rest and relaxation help make them feel safe. Play-based learning experiences are provided for older children who no longer don’t sleep in centre.

Previous: Play-based learning Next: Heading home
typical-day-slider-heading-home-648x300-1.jpg

Heading home

As your child prepares to head home, this is your opportunity to speak with our friendly educators about your child’s day and everything they learnt. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow.

Previous: Sleep, rest and relaxation  

Communicating with families

We prioritise clear and consistent communication with families to foster a strong partnership in supporting each child’s development. We ensure families feel informed, involved, and confident in their child’s early learning journey.

Our families love hearing about their child’s progress and the experiences they’re having day to day. We share these moments through centre newsletters, our Xplor App, one-on-one meetings, and at various centre events.

Fees

The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.

  • Nursery0 – 2 years

    $154.50
  • Toddler2 – 3 years

    $154.50
  • Kindergarten3 – 5 years

    $150.50

Child Care Subsidy Estimator

Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.*

1-4 days = full day session; 5 days = 10 hour per day sessions

CCS Estimator results

  • Estimated subsidy

    $0.00
  • Total fees

    $0.00
  • Out-of-pocket cost

    $0.00

*This estimator provides an estimate only and is based on the following assumptions:

  • Accuracy and currency of family income information entered.
  • Family CCS entitlements include 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Please note your family may be entitled to less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight – if you are unsure we recommend you use the comprehensive CCS estimator in the link below.
  • Where 1-4 days of care is selected, full day sessions apply (being full operational hours of the centre, which can vary between centres).
  • Where 5 days of care is selected, 10-hour per day sessions apply (ie, 50 hours p/w to optimise 100 hours of CCS subsidised care across the fortnight).
  • Where a family’s CCS entitlements include less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, please use the comprehensive CCS calculator as a guide via the link below.

For a more complete subsidy estimation, check out our comprehensive CCS calculator here.

Calculate my subsidy

Explore nearby G8 Education centres

Looking for other great childcare, kindergarten or preschool options? Discover more G8 Education centres near you!

Frequently asked questions

A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.

On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.

Our Family Support Team will add your child’s name to our waitlist if one of our childcare centres is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review availability, and you will receive a text message confirming whether you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call.

Our Family Support team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Great Beginnings centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.

For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits and spare socks.

For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits and spare socks.

Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.

It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.

Great Beginnings uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.

After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.

If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Great Beginnings is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.

Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.

Contact us

We look forward to welcoming your family.