In Queensland, Kindergarten (commonly called Kindy) is for children in the year before they start Prep. Children are eligible to attend Kindy if they turn four years old by 30 June of that year. This blog will take you through some of the common questions we answer at Little Navigators about our Kindergarten program in Everton Park
What is Free Kindy in Queensland?
The Queensland Government’s Free Kindy initiative gives eligible children access to an approved kindergarten program for 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year – in the year before they start Prep. To be eligible, children need to turn four by 30 June in the year they attend.
Free Kindy is available through both sessional kindergartens and long day care services like Little Navigators Everton Park.
What’s the difference between sessional kindy and kindy in long daycare?
Sessional kindergartens generally run during school hours and school terms only. Long daycare kindy programs deliver the same approved curriculum, with the added benefit of wrap-around care before and after the program.
For working families, this means your child gets their full kindy experience without the juggle of multiple drop-offs and pickups.
At Little Navigators, our opening hours are 6.30am-6.30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays).
Our kindergarten program
Our Free Kindy program is led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and built around play-based learning because children learn best when they’re curious, engaged and having fun.
Our spaces are designed to inspire exploration and discovery. Natural light, mixed-age learning areas, and challenging equipment all encourage adventure and growth.
Children are far more capable than many realise, and by giving them the freedom to engage in child-led play in meaningful and fulfilling ways – along with a safe space and access to diverse learning opportunities – we create an environment that not only sparks creativity and supports cognitive development but also fosters a curiosity that becomes the catalyst for a lifelong love of learning.
We are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG).
Like every learning room at our centre, our Kindy room has a dedicated library with a cosy reading nook to keep little minds inspired.
School readiness is about more than ABCs
Many parents are surprised to learn that the skills that matter most for starting school have less to do with letters and numbers than you’d think.
Things like emotional regulation, independence, listening, resilience and confidence in group settings are just as important and our kindergarten program intentionally nurtures all of them!
Examples include:
- Confidence in self and abilities
- Eager to learn and take on new challenges
- Self help skills
- Listening skills – following instructions
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to interact with their peers
- Ability to express their ideas
- Ability to concentrate on a task to completion
Why families choose Little Navigators Everton Park
- Government-approved Free Kindy program
- Qualified Early Childhood Teacher leading the kindy room and caring educators throughout the centre
- Wrap-around care from 6:30am to 6:30pm
- Play-based curriculum designed for school readiness
- Weekly incursions including Sign, Sing & Rhythm Brisbane
- Beautiful indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Access to swim lessons during childcare hours through our neighbours at Shapland Swim School
Ready to find out more?
We’d love to show you around and answer any questions about Free Kindy, school readiness or enrolment at our Everton Park centre.
