South Kingsville Pre School offers quality kindergarten programs for 3-5 year old children. We are a family oriented, non-profit centre and have served the local community for over 40 years.
Housed within the vibrant South Kingsville Community Centre, our friendly kindergarten provides a secure learning environment for your child, which is enriched by our dedicated and caring staff.
Play is a vital part of a child’s growth and development. Through play children learn to express themselves, experiment, create and make sense of their world.
Play is the foundation of both our three and four year old programs. Our educators carefully nurture each child’s individuality, creativity, sense of worth and independence. Programs are developed by careful observation of the children and are tailored to meet individual needs. Most importantly, we want your child to gain a passion for life and learning, and to have fun!
Our philosophy
Children are our purpose
We create a nurturing environment where safety, security, fun, and trust thrive, helping our children explore, discover, and fulfil their potential. We instil confidence, resilience, skills, and self-belief, empowering them to navigate their expanding world.
Our Learning Environment
We believe in the educational and developmental power of play-based and emergent curricula that foster fun, creativity, and free thinking. Developing the whole child and nurturing their well-being through an independent mind, a healthy body, and a connection to nature is fundamental. Empowering children to be safe and happy while ensuring equal participation for all is a priority. We believe in the educational power of allowing children to take controlled risks to learn, grow, and discover their potential.
Families
We hold the belief that a child’s family is their first teacher. Collaborating with families is essential for the child’s development and growth. Upholding the principles of respect and care for oneself, others (embracing differences), and the world—is at the core of our values.
Connection to Land
We believe in building a connection to the land, recognising and valuing our shared history, embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders perspectives into our curriculum and to actively embrace and share the message of reconciliation Connection and Collaboration
South Kingsville Pre School is a unique haven for learning and discovery. Our essence is warmth, collaboration, and connection, with the child at the heart of everything we do. We have established a safe environment where children, families, and educators can learn, discover, and grow together.
Our Child Safe Statement.
South Kingsville Preschool is committed to child safety. We want children to be safe, happy & empowered. We support and respect all children as well as staff and volunteers. South Kingsville Preschool is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders children, the cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse background and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability and/or vulnerable children, allowing these children to participate equally.
We have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our robust policies and procedures. Please refer to our Child Safe Policy for further information.
South Kingsville Preschool is committed to the cultural safety of all First Nations people.
We are committed to:
- actively supporting and facilitating participation and inclusion of all First Nations young people and their families within our service
- the safety, participation and empowerment of First Nations children
- providing an educational program that strengthens First Nations children’s culture and identity
- actively supporting and encouraging of First Nations children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
- supporting of First Nations children and their families to identify as Aboriginal/ or Torres strait islander without fear of retribution or questioning
- supporting First Nations children to maintain connection to their kinship ties, land and country
- supporting First Nations children to be taught their cultural heritage by Elders
- facilitating regular training and education on First Nations cultural and cultural safety
- establishing policies, procedures, systems and processes to create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of First Nations children, young people and their families.
At South Kingsville Preschool, we believe that every child is a capable, curious, and creative learner. Our teaching philosophy is inspired by the theories of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Howard Gardner, which help us understand how young children grow, think, and learn.
From Jean Piaget, we understand that children learn best by actively exploring the world around them. They go through stages of development, each bringing new ways of thinking. We support this natural progression by providing plenty of hands-on experiences that encourage children to experiment, discover, and solve problems.
From Lev Vygotsky, we learn that social interaction is key to learning. Children develop their understanding through conversations and play with more experienced peers and educators. We gently guide children through new tasks, offering just the right amount of support, what Vygotsky called the Zone of Proximal Development, so they can grow in confidence and independence.
From Howard Gardner, we recognise that intelligence comes in many forms. Whether a child is drawn to music, movement, storytelling, nature, numbers, or building things, we create an environment where every kind of learner is valued. By offering a rich variety of learning opportunities, we help each child shine in their own way.
Together, these approaches shape a learning environment that is child centred, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate, supporting learning, creativity, and development.
Our facilities
Our kindergarten is a cheerful, up-to-date space and nestled in a serene garden environment.
In 2022, South Kingsville Preschool was awarded a Building Victoria grant to expand and enhance both our indoor and outdoor areas.
Outside, we have shade sails, mature trees, and a pergola over the sandpit, ensuring there’s plenty of shade. Our outdoor space provides ample room for energetic play, with cozy nooks nestled within the lush garden. We’ve created spaces for digging, climbing, a pretend creek with a water pump, a circle for gatherings, a mud kitchen, and more. We’re big on teaching kids to care for their surroundings and value sustainability. We grow our own herbs, fruits, and vegetables, which we use in cooking activities. We even have a worm farm, water tanks, and we teach the children about the importance of recycling.
Indoors, our room is warm and inviting, filled with natural light. Our furniture has been thoughtfully designed to allow children to move around freely and safely as they explore various play areas. Some spaces are designed for active play, while others, like the reading corner, offer a quiet retreat. We decorate the room with the children’s artwork to create a joyful and comfortable environment where kids feel secure, happy, and quickly become part of our close-knit community.
We’re lucky to have an excellent occasional childcare service right next door, which many parents find convenient for younger siblings or as an addition to our kindergarten programs.
In the same building, you’ll also find a Maternal and Child Health Service, playgroups, and a host of other activities for children. It’s like a one-stop shop for all your family’s needs!
