Kindergarten St Albans – St Albans Main Road East Early Learning Centre

In Australia, sessional kindergartens or preschools are usually operated by local government, religious organisations, schools, private organisations or the community. They usually run during school term and school hours, meaning the program runs for 40 weeks per year, with most sessions finishing up around 2 pm, over 2-3 days per week.

The kindergarten or preschool program is also offered in long day care centres. Most long day care centres are open from 7:00 AM. to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday with flexible drop-off/pick-up times to better accommodate busy working families. Long day care centres run 52 weeks per year, meaning your child would not miss out on valuable learning opportunities during school holidays.

Nutritional meals and snacks are covered in long day care centres, so you don’t have to worry about packing lunches.

Child Care Subsidy still applies when your child attends the kindergarten or preschool programs offered in long day care services. Depending on your state or territory, different funding options can be combined with your Child Care Subsidy savings, making kindergarten or preschool more affordable for your family.

Essentially, there is no difference between the curriculums adopted by long day care and sessional kindergarten or preschool providers. They are both run by qualified early childhood teachers, and they all align with Early Years Learning Framework, focusing on supporting individual children’s development, interests and needs through play-based and intentional learning experiences.

If your child is already settled at a long day care centre, they have the opportunity to stay in a familiar environment, transitioning together with their friends.

To receive the Best Start, Best Life Kinder subsidy, your child needs to turn 4 years on or before 30th April 2024 and enrolled in a funded Kindergarten program in 2024. For 3 year old Kindergarten, to be eligible your child must be 3 on or before 30th April 2024 and enrolled in a funded Kindergarten program in 2024. Your child must attend a minimum of 2 days of Kinder per week, across which can be applied over 52 weeks of the year.

The government subsidised kindergarten hours apply to 15 hours a week which can be applied over 52 weeks.

The 7.5 hours free kinder is delivered during our long day care hours at our centres. The VIC Government is subsidising 7.5 hours of your long day care Kinder day, therefore there will be a reduced out of pocket cost on these days.

All our kindergarten programs run every day of the week. This means families have the flexibility for their child/ren to receive the highest quality learning experiences on days that best support them.

The benefit of attending a G8 Education long day care centre is our enhanced learning program combines play-based long daycare programming plus the government approved Best Start, Best Life Kindergarten program. Our program runs 5 days a week for 52 weeks of the year. During the period where the government funded kindergarten does not apply, your CCS will reduce your out of pocket expense.

The Victorian Government will subsidise 15 hours per week over, 600 hours per year which can be applied over 52 weeks (minimum 2 days per week). As a long day care provider, we offer a 5 day per week program and your child can attend more than 2 days per week. If you are eligible for the Childcare Subsidy (CCS), the CCS will apply on these additional days and reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Attending 2 days or more supports your child’s learning, development and wellbeing to experience a successful school transition as a more confident and engaged learner.

Attending Kindergarten at G8 Education centres means your child will benefit from our enhanced learning program that combines play-based long daycare with the VIC Government funded Kindergarten.

Busy families will be reassured with year-round care that develops holistic school readiness. More than numeracy and literacy, our program fosters emotional and social development and resilience and self-regulation for healthy bodies and minds.

No, you can only access funding at one centre for 15 hours a week, which can be applied over 52 weeks.

This is an additional subsidy from the Victorian Government that will apply to a portion of your fees after the Childcare Subsidy is applied. The percentage of CCS your family is entitled to for non-funded Kindergarten program hours will not change.

We have good news for families who are not eligible for CCS.

The VIC Government will subsidise the 15 hours per week of free Kindergarten, which can be applied across 52 weeks. Outside of these subsidised hours, full fees will be applied.

All our kindergarten programs follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), a national learning framework for Australia. These programs are informed by qualified and passionate Early Childhood Educators and Teachers. Our Curriculum accommodates each individual child’s learning, development, and well-being.

Kindergarten provides a unique time for children to further develop their positive dispositions to learning, oral language skills, and social/emotional and physical capabilities.

To learn more about the wonderful learning opportunities at the centre of your choice, reach out to the Centre Manager.

G8 Education owns 21 well-respected and recognised early education brands across Australia. Together, we are one team of 9,500 dedicated, passionate and supportive team members and experienced educators committed to empowering children and helping them develop and grow.

Our approach to early childhood education, high-quality programs and services, as well as our operational policies and procedures are consistent across all G8 brands. Every child in our care is individually nurtured and supported throughout their learning journey. The quality of education and care that our families receive is consistent across every G8 centre.

At G8 Education centres, we offer families year-round programming.

G8 Education has over 400 centres across Australia and 100+ centres in Victoria. You can find a centre near you by using our map search tool above. Simply enter your postcode and click search to get started. You will be provided with a list of all centres surrounding your desired location.

The best way to get accurate availability for G8 centres is to speak with our Family Support team either through Live Chat on the website or by calling them on 07 5644 6900.

Most of our G8 long day care centres are open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm on weekdays. However, some centres open earlier or close later to support your busy family life! We encourage you to contact your local centre about their opening times using our Web Chat or calling our Family support team on 07 5644 6900.