Glengala Kindergarten

Goodstart's First Free Sessional Kindergarten!

Where learning, care and community come together in Sunshine West.

40A Talintyre Road, Sunshine West, 3020, VIC

Mon and Tues: 8:30am - 4:00pm and Thurs and Fri 8:30am -4:00pm
15 hours of free sessional kindergarten

Kindergarten

Welcome to Glengala Kindergarten

A connected and child-led kindergarten in Sunshine West

Located within the grounds of Glengala Primary School on Wurundjeri land, Glengala Kindergarten offers a free sessional kindergarten program where children can learn, play, and grow through meaningful experiences and strong community connections. Our child-led learning environment encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence, and a genuine sense of belonging. Through play-based learning guided by the EYLF, children are supported to develop the skills they need for school and life. Families are at the centre of everything we do, and we work in partnership to create a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging learning community.

If you are looking for a nurturing kindergarten program with strong school connections, we invite you to call our centre and book a tour and experience Glengala Kindergarten for yourself.

What makes our kindergarten special!

Free sessional kindergarten program with no out-of-pocket costs for eligible families
Purpose-built learning environments designed for 3 and 4-year-old children
Located within Glengala Primary School to support smooth transitions to Foundation
Play-based, child-led learning programs that encourage confidence, independence, and wellbeing
Bright indoor learning spaces and spacious outdoor environments for exploration and discovery
Qualified Goodstart Early Childhood Teachers and Educators who build strong relationships with children and families
Inclusive and community-focused programs where every child’s strength, ideas and culture are celebrated

Children at Glengala Kindergarten enjoy engaging indoor and outdoor environments that inspire exploration, creativity and connection with nature. Our learning spaces include sandpits, a mud kitchen, climbing and balancing equipment, vegetable gardens and sustainability areas that encourage hands-on discovery and imaginative play. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, respected and supported to follow their interests and ideas.

Our educational programs focus on language, literacy, numeracy, emotional development, science, creative arts and physical development through intentional teaching and play-based experiences. Being part of the school community gives children valuable opportunities to build familiarity and confidence in a school setting before starting Foundation.

We also offer longer pre-prep programs for eligible children and flexible blended 3 and 4-year-old group options across the week. To learn more about our programs, daily routines, and enrolment process, we encourage families to speak with our team today.

Helpful resources for families

Kindergarten Family Handbook

Brimbank Council Registration Procedures and Enrolment Guidelines

Register for Kindergarten Online

Apply here

You can apply directly here via the Brimbank city council’s website

Apply now

Apply now

Learn more about Glengala Kindergarten

Our kindergarten programs are designed and delivered by bachelor-qualified early childhood teachers (ECT) to prepare your child for school. Our program follows the Australian Early Years Learning Framework, or EYLF. The EYLF is play-based and supports children to grow the following skills to help them transition to school:
- Build social skills, like making friends and respecting others.
- Develop cognitive, physical and social skills.
- Practice early literacy and numeracy skills.
- Manage emotional regulation and naming how they feel.
- Improve communication skills, like saying what they need without getting frustrated.
It's easy to see play-based learning as 'just having fun'. But it's important to remember that it's not 'just playing'. Children learn through play.
You can read more about what they learn in kinder.
We meet your child at their current growth stage and regularly evaluate their milestones as they get ready to transition to school. We connect with them through their interests and make sure they feel valued and understood.
We also offer educational and behavioural support when it's needed. We respect and celebrate your children for who they are and give them what they need to become the best version of themselves.
If needed, we also assist families to access support services in the areas of:
- speech and language
- behaviour
- social skills
- general development.
If you're concerned about any aspect of your child’s development or learning, please speak to your child’s teacher.
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Every child deserves to feel valued and recognised for their unique qualities.
We make sure our centres are inviting to all children and their families. Our commitment to reconciliation and inclusion means we build strong support networks and communities with you and your children.
We want your child to have the social and emotional skills to start Foundation confidently. Our centres collaborate with school teachers, families and communities to support your child's well-being.
We work closely with our local schools, giving them everything they need to know about your child through Victoria’s Transition Learning and Development Statements to help their new teachers understand how your child learns.
We also run school transition activities during the kinder year to help your child feel comfortable on their first day of Foundation. We want everyone to have a smooth and supportive start for your child's education journey.
*Please note: Enrolment at Glengala Kindergarten does not guarantee an enrolment place at Glengala Primary School
Glengala Kindergarten offers a funded 15-hour sessional kindergarten program for children in the year before school, supported by the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder initiative.
Application for enrolment is through the local city council website.
This is a sessional kindergarten service, not long day care. Children attend for set kindergarten sessions during school terms, delivered by qualified early childhood teachers, focusing on play-based learning and school readiness.
Under Free Kinder, the Victorian Government contributes funding directly to the kindergarten program, meaning families are not charged childcare-style daily fees for the funded kindergarten hours.
If you would like further information about attendance sessions or program structure, please get in touch with our team
We understand that not all families can accommodate the sessional operating hours. We have three Goodstart long daycare centres within 10km of Glengala Primary School. All offer the same high-quality kindergarten education, with longer opening hours for busy families that may wish to divide their childs early learning between the two:
Please contact our team to learn more 1800 222 543
Families do not need to have a Health Care Card or Pension Card, Australian citizenship, or proof of address to be eligible to access. You also do not need to be eligible for Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to receive Free Kinder.

Your child can only access a Victorian Government funded kindergarten place and receive Free Kinder funding in one service at a time. Your service should request you to sign a a One Funded Kindergarten Place form to confirm your child’s funded place.

Welcome, my name is Melanie. I am the Sessional Kindergarten Manager at Goodstart Early Learning.

With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, I am passionate about leading high-quality kindergarten programs that nurture children’s learning, wellbeing, and development. As a leader at Glengala Kindergarten, I am dedicated to creating warm, safe, and inclusive environments where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn through curiosity and play.

Skilled in team leadership, program planning, family communication and regulatory compliance, I work closely with educators and families to deliver meaningful learning experiences aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework. I take pride in building strong relationships with children, families, and staff, supporting educator growth, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the kindergarten program while fostering a caring and connected community where children can truly thrive.

I look forward to meeting you and you meeting my fabulous team at Glengala Kindergarten