Melton Central Kindergarten

Kinder now is free for 3 and 4-year-old children. Read more here.

Melton Central Kindergarten has been an integral part of the Melton community for more than 50 years. Our team of nurturing and experienced educators deliver high quality and inclusive three and four-year-old kindergarten programs that help each child realise their potential. Educators will partner with you – your child’s most important educator – to develop a play-based learning program that builds on your child’s interests and capabilities. In turn, your child will develop vital social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive skills. Even more importantly, our educators will ensure your child is safe, secure and happy while in our centre.

Highlights of our kindergarten

• Caring for our resident 40-year-old pet “Terry the Turtle” teaches children about empathy, responsibility and compassion.
   
• The outdoor water canal garden helps children to explore through imaginative play.
   
• An interactive computer table helps develop problem-solving, language and communication skills.
   
• Our exceptional early learning programs are rated as exceeding the government’s National Quality Standard (NQS) in both assessments.
   
• We offer the convenience of on-site occasional care on Thursdays and Fridays via Melton Council.

“Melton Central Kindergarten has been such a delight for both of my children. They have gained so much confidence, and continue to share what they have learnt from their amazing kinder teacher Julie. This environment has such a relaxed homely feel which results in happy, excited children at both drop off and pick times. The programs involved are very interactive and supportive to many different needs of all children.” – Melanie B

“I first used this kindergarten in 2015 with my eldest son John. I found that the educators were brilliant and very professional. When it came time to enrol my son Justin for 2017 who has additional needs, I knew Melton Central was the kinder for him. He is able to engage in the program and Julie has ensured that her staff are on board with Justin. I can’t speak highly enough of this kindergarten and will recommend it to everyone.” – Fiona H

“A fantastic kindergarten, good educators, safe environment, curriculum designed to instil confidence in the kids and support structure to help both children and families. When my twin children wake up on Sunday asking to go to kinder, I know the kinder has already become a second home for them! Well done!” – Nisha A

Play is the best way for children to learn. That's why at Melton Central Kindergarten, your child's learning program will incorporate a variety of open-ended and structured play-based learning experiences. Activities will be guided by your child's interests and capabilities, ensuring your child gets the most out of their early learning experience.

Activities will include:

• language and literature
• music and movement
• art and craft
• dramatic play
• science and maths  
• sensory motor activities
• messy play
• cooking and healthy eating
• recycling and sustainability
• activities to promote physical coordination
• excursions and incursions. 

These play-based activities will help your child develop important social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive skills.

All our learning programs are based on the National Early Years Learning Framework “Belonging, Being and Becoming” and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

Our kindergarten room is filled with an abundance of natural light, providing a bright and welcoming learning environment. Our room features abundant resources and an open-plan design that enables educators to set up flexible play experiences that foster children’s imagination, curiosity and exploration, including a role play cubby house.

Our large outdoor learning environment offers the perfect place for children to explore, learn and have fun. Your child will also have access to our array of natural resources and play equipment to support their learning, including:

• a large sandpit
• rubberoc bike track
• cubby house
• water canal garden
• mud patch
• plenty of shade

Your child’s program will be delivered by Melton Central Kindergarten's experienced, passionate and nurturing educators. Our educators are wholly committed to ensuring each child receives the best possible experience at our centre. 

Educators will work in partnership with you – your child’s most important educator – to develop an early learning program that reflects and builds on your child’s interests, curiosities and skills. Educators will also recognise and celebrate your child's unique background and culture, incorporating these into their early learning program. 

If your child has additional needs, our educators will work with you to ensure your child gets the most out of their early learning experience. Our educators can also connect your family with specialist support if required.

Meet our Nominated Supervisor

My name is Julie Kavanagh, and I am the Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader and four-year-old groups teacher at Melton Central Kindergarten. I am employed full time and commenced in 2001. Before working here, I worked as a qualified childcare worker and kindergarten teacher for seven years, and as a relief Primary School teacher.

My role at the kindergarten combines teaching all children in a fun, stimulating and challenging manner, and leading and managing the service daily to ensure teamwork and quality delivery of education and care from staff. It also includes establishing and maintaining inclusive quality relations with families, enabling best possible outcomes for strong, individualised educational growth and care for their children. Over the years I have established many local networks to enhance and support the service, and I have a comprehensive knowledge of Melton as a community.

I believe kindergarten is important to allow children to grow and develop socially and emotionally, and develop in a play-based, caring and supportive environment where they also learn and develop communication, cognitive and motor skills. These combined create the foundation of life skills for children to build upon.