Families in Australia have several different kindergarten and preschool options, and it's essential to understand the differences to make the best choice for your child.
- Sessional kindergarten (also known as Community Kindergartens): Usually run by schools or community organisations, sessional kindergarten and preschool offers shorter hours, typically during school terms. They focus on early childhood education but may not accommodate working families due to limited hours. They often offer quality educational programs but follow a traditional school day schedule, which can be challenging for working parents.
- Long Day Care kindergarten and preschool: Offered within early learning centres, extended day care kindergarten and preschool provides full-day educational programs led by degree-qualified teachers. These programs meet the same academic standards as sessional and community centres but with the added benefit of extended hours and year-round care, making them ideal for working families.
Despite misconceptions, long day care kindergarten is as high-quality as any other program. Let's dispel some myths and explore why long day care kindergarten and preschool is an excellent choice for your family.
Extended Day Care kindergarten and preschool: High-Quality Early Education That Works for Families
Regarding kindergarten and preschool, there's a common myth that extended day care or childcare centre program isn't "proper kindergarten or preschool." Nothing could be further from the truth. Early learning centre programs in early learning centres meet the same rigorous standards as community programs and offer a range of unique benefits that can make a big difference for children and families.
Dispelling the Myths About Long Day Care kindergarten and preschool
One of the most persistent misconceptions is that kindergarten and preschool programs delivered in childcare are less valuable than those in sessional or community centres. This isn't true.
Our kindergarten and preschool programs follow the Government's Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which places belonging and relationships at the core of high-quality early learning. All approved kindergartens and preschools - whether in a childcare centre or not—must meet government guidelines and standards.
Moreover, long day care programs are led by degree-qualified teachers who bring professionalism, passion, and dedication to their roles. At Goodstart alone, we have over 900 degree-qualified kindergarten and preschool teachers nationwide, all committed to delivering high-quality early education.
Quality Curriculum Tailored to Your Child
Our kindergarten and preschool curriculum is developed around your child's interests and strengths, which helps build essential academic skills like literacy and numeracy. We know that learning happens best when children are engaged, so we use play-based learning to make concepts like counting and reading fun and meaningful.
This approach nurtures creativity, inquiry, and problem-solving while developing a love of learning that will continue to school and beyond. Our educators also focus on social and emotional development, helping children build positive relationships and develop key life skills like empathy, resilience, and leadership.
The Benefits of Staying in One Centre
One of the most significant advantages of long day care kindergarten and preschool is consistency. By keeping your child at the exact centre from childcare through to school, we build a complete picture of their growth and development.
Our educators develop personalised learning plans and track progress across the early years, ensuring children are supported at every step. When it's time to move on to primary school, we create detailed transition statements to help their new teachers understand their strengths and needs.
Strong Community and School Connections
We don't just prepare children for school—we build relationships with local primary schools to ensure a smooth transition. Our extended day care programs give children more time with their educators, fostering familiarity and making the move to school much more seamless.
Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom
We believe that early learning is about much more than academics, which is why so many of our centres offer extracurricular activities that enrich children's development and broaden their horizons:
- Community excursions
- Bush and Beach kindy programs
- Visits to aged care facilities to build intergenerational connections
- Trips to farms and animal shelters to encourage empathy and responsibility
Support from In-House Professionals
Our commitment to quality education goes beyond the classroom. We have in-house allied health professionals, including:
- Speech pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Social inclusion coordinators
These experts work closely with our educators to support children's development and ensure they're ready for school.
Helping Families Manage the Juggle
Balancing work and family life is challenging, and long day care kindergarten and preschool offers a practical, high-quality solution. Our programs are designed to give parents peace of mind, knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for extended hours.
Choosing a long day care kindergarten or preschool means your child gets consistent, high-quality early education. At the same time, you have the flexibility to manage your career and family life. With long, structured days and continuity of care, children thrive while parents stay on top of their commitments.
The Bottom Line: Quality You Can Trust
Don't let myths about long day care kindergarten and preschool hold you back. Our programs deliver the same quality early education as sessional providers while offering flexibility that works for modern families.
Choosing a kindergarten or preschool program is a big decision, but rest assured that extended day care kindy is not only a proper experience—it's a fantastic option that sets your child up for success.
Secure your kindergarten and preschool spot now!
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