Our 4-Year-Old Program

What to expect

In our four-year old program, we engage children in the co-creation of learning experiences, nurturing their interests. Our focus in four-year-old classes lies in fostering cooperative learning, collaboration, and enjoyment, all anchored with play!

Children attending four-year-old kindergarten are encouraged to develop a variety of motor, play, social, self-help and communication skills.

During a regular session we will offer children time for:

  • Indoor activity play
  • Outdoor activity play
  • Group experiences such as stories, music, movement, dancing, games and drama.
  • Morning snack/lunch/afternoon tea

Through a blend of developmental play and structured group activities, children develop essential skills and attitudes that pave the way for future learning achievements. Our educators actively support children in building resilience, independence, and self-help abilities.

Establishing routines and fostering group participation are fundamental aspects of preparing for school transition. We provide ample opportunities for early literacy and numeracy skill development, integrating formal group learning sessions with informal learning moments, with learning through play at the heart. Furthermore, our educators prioritise the development of motor skills, social skills, and self-regulation, ensuring children are well-equipped for the exciting transition to school! 

All of these elements are facilitated by our team of qualified and nurturing educators who are deeply passionate about fostering early learning experiences, and enabled by our host of incredible facilities, including purpose-built outdoor sensory play (mud kitchen), active play & soft fall area, indoor play zones with a focus on imagination & creativity.

The CDPS 4-year-old program looks to develop in our children resilience, independence, and love for learning that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Varied learning

Four-year-old kindergarten also provides a range of targeted incursions to compliment the various themes which we cover with the children across the year.

We also plan to have one excursion during the four-year-old year.

Our parents are encouraged to “stay and play” throughout the terms and share their own passions with our kinder group – we have had music, cooking, science experiments to name a few!

School transition

Our 4-year-old kinder program, we recognise the significance of the  transition to Prep and are committed to ensuring that every child enters primary school with confidence, curiosity, and readiness to thrive.

We partner with many local primary schools to support a smooth transition, and each child will receive a Transition Learning and Development Statement (TLDS) which will be provided to your child’s school or Foundation teacher. It helps the teacher get to know your child and plan the best way to teach them.

2024 Program Timetable & Cost

Group Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Red Group

15 hrs

 

8.30am – 4pm 8.30am – 4pm

Blue Group

15 hrs

 

8.30am – 4pm 8.30am – 4pm

Yellow Group 

15 hrs

 

8.30am – 4pm 8.30am – 4pm

Central Enrolments

Canterbury and District Pre-school’s enrolments are managed through the Boroondara Kindergarten Central Enrolments Scheme (BKCES). Full details of the enrolment process including timelines and the application form can be found on the City of Boroondara website.

Enrolment enquiries should be directed to the BKCES on 9278 4444 or email kindergarten@boroondara.vic.gov.au 

You may apply online: https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/community-support/boroondara-families/kindergarten 

Please note:  Due to Free Kinder for 2024 there are no discounts applicable to valid Concession Card holders.  Valid concession card holders should contact the Fees Officer to discuss the security deposit fees@canterburykinder.org.au

 

Cost

CDPS have opted in to Free Kinder for 2024 there are no term fees for 3YO or 4YO programs in 2024.

 

4 YEAR OLD PROGRAM GOALS

Development goals

  • Develop self-help skills and independence
  • Develop a positive self-image and grow in confidence
  • Understand and learn the behaviour necessary for effective membership of a group situation
  • Become self-disciplined and develop respect for others through cooperation, sharing, taking turns and generally adhering to the rules of “fair-play”
  • Learn to work independently as well as part of a group
  • Develop gross and fine motor skills necessary to confidently and competently function in their environment
  • Develop creativity, imagination, curiosity

Educational goals

  • Develop a variety of language skills such as verbal fluency, articulation, comprehension, listening carefully and responding appropriately
  • Learn through active exploration of the environment
  • Be involved in a variety of activities and experiences that encourage the development of pre-reading and pre-writing skills
  • Remain and direct their attention to a selected activity through persistence and concentration and ultimately, see the activity to its logical conclusion
  • Develop mastery of “key” concepts that are needed for progress at school

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

In addition to our learning program, the teachers organise fun and exciting activities for the children. These are just some of the fun things that have been undertaken in the last year or two.

Sustainability and the Environment

We offer a Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly program at the kindergarten:

  • Establishing own vegetable garden
  • Monitoring the rain water tank
  • Conscious recycling
  • Worm farm & compost bin

Hands On Learning

Responsible Pet Program

Cooking and Pancake day

Jungle Journey / Aussie Animal Adventures

Wild Action (real Australian Animals)

Seaweed Sammy

African drumming

Special Visitor & Activity Days

Weekly ‘Ready, Set, Go’ kids sport program

Outdoor obstacle courses

Footy Days with AFL players

Visit from Acorn Nursery & Local Baker’s

Backyard Honey Beekeeper

 

Family Mornings

Grandparent / special friend day

Mum’s Morning tea

Dad’s Morning tea

Excursions

Excursion to Melbourne Museum

Visit to the local shops (Union Rd)

Chesterfield Farm

Mini Maestros Music & Movement for 0-5s

Mini Maestros Music & Movement for 0-5s

 Support Your Child to Thrive

Children are our future.

As parents, we want to know we have done all we can to give them the best preparation they deserve, to face the increasingly uncertain road ahead.  

We know that children who are creative, capable, resilient, and aware, have the best chances to thrive in the world that lay ahead.

That’s why at Mini Maestros, we have refined our formula for nurturing babies to 5 year old's through music and movement classes old for almost 40 years.

Mini Maestros classes are a one-stop shop when it comes to providing “brain-food” for your little one. 

  • Build Confidence
  • Nurture Whole Brain Development
  • Social Interaction for Parent and Child
  • Age-Specific for Children’s Developmental Stage
  • Classroom Experience in Preparation for Kinder and School

Feel reassured we are supporting your child to thrive, so they are better prepared, achieving millstones, and skipping with confidence into the future. 

W: minimaestros.com.au   

Mini Maestros | Music Classes for Pre-School Children | Online Courses

Life is busy. We all know that. So we believe in giving your child a moment in their week to stop, and find calm with mindfulness & movement as part of their CDPS program. At Hello Yoga our focus is to build a beautiful combo of strength & confidence in kids so they better cope with whatever the challenge, anxiety, or upset. Our classes find calm, balance, & forever focus on how incredible kids are, ‘as they are’. Best thing is that all of this is woven into a whole lot of fun!

@helloyogakids

 http://www.helloyogakids.com/

ADDRESS

Canterbury & District Pre-School

26 Guildford Road

Surrey Hills | VIC | 3127

Melway Reference: 46 F10

REGISTRATION

Reg.No. A00059025