Kindergarten@ Sunkids

Kindergarten is an educational program available for children in the year before the transition to school. It is designed to prepare children for their future of formal education through play-based learning led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
Children learn best through play, exploring the world, building relationships, and developing essential skills for life and learning.

Engagement in a Kindergarten program supports children to become confident, curious, and capable learners. It strengthens early literacy and numeracy foundations, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional wellbeing while encouraging independence, persistence, and a love of learning, all crucial for future academic success.

The Sunkids Kindergarten curriculum follows the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines and is play-based and child-led.

Children’s learning emerges from their interests, values, and ideas, creating meaningful connections that build their confidence, independence, and curiosity.

You’ll see children engaging in experiences such as painting, building, storytelling, and imaginative play, all intentionally designed to develop literacy, numeracy, creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.

A typical day in Kindergarten includes organisational routines such as meal times, rest and relaxation, tidying up, greetings, farewells, and group learning times.

Every day looks slightly different as we follow a flexible, child-centered program that responds to children’s interests.

These routines provide consistency and prepare children for the structure of school while maintaining a nurturing and play-based environment.

Children with additional needs are included in all aspects of the Kindergarten program in ways that best support their development. This may include smaller group experiences, hands-on learning opportunities, or individualised strategies guided by inclusive practices.
Sunkids’ goal is to ensure every child is supported to participate, learn, and thrive in our Kindergarten environment.

We encourage families to contribute to the Kindergarten program by sharing their child’s interests, culture, and experiences.

Learning is enhanced when children, parents, and teachers actively engage together. Families are invited to connect with the program through shared learning stories, events, and communication with their child’s teacher.

Families can support their child’s transition to Kindergarten by building independence and confidence in daily routines. Encourage your child to practice self-help skills like dressing, toileting, and managing belongings.

Help them recognise their name and engage in new experiences for short periods, such as reading together or attending group activities.
The goal is not academic readiness, but social and emotional readiness, feeling confident, capable, and eager to learn.

Work closely with your child’s Kindergarten Teacher to understand their individual learning goals and strengths.

Encourage independence at home, such as taking responsibility for their belongings, problem-solving, and expressing themselves.

Towards the end of the Kindergarten year, your child’s teacher will prepare a Transition Statement, a positive summary of your child’s learning that supports a smooth move into Prep.

Children’s learning is best supported when families extend their interests beyond the classroom.

You can build on what they’re exploring at Kindergarten by discussing their day, providing related materials (e.g. books or art supplies), and involving them in real-life tasks such as cooking, gardening, or sorting items.

Documentation and observations shared on OWNA can help guide what to focus on at home, ensuring strong links between home and centre learning.

Families enrol directly with their chosen school, most begin accepting Prep applications about a year before starting.

Schools often host open days or private tours during school hours (typically 9 am–2 pm) so you can see classes in action.

Public (state) schools are government-funded and enrolments are generally based on residential catchments. Private or independent schools charge fees and may have their own enrolment requirements or interviews.

Both follow the Australian Curriculum, with differences mainly in facilities and class sizes. Your child’s Kindergarten Teacher can guide you through the transition and recommend local options.

Throughout the year, we invite local Prep teachers into our Kindergarten environments to help children build relationships and become familiar with the school experience.

We also support families to attend Prep orientation days and transition events, ensuring children feel confident and excited for their next step.

The Queensland Government’s Free Kindy initiative provides eligible children with up to 15 hours per week (600 hours per year) of free, approved Kindergarten.

All Sunkids Kindergarten programs are government-approved and led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers, so your child automatically receives this benefit.

This means:
• You will not pay any fees for the 15 hours of Kindergarten each week. 
• Additional care (before, after, or extra days) continues at your normal daily rate and remains eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). 
• You don’t need to apply separately, the funding is applied directly through Sunkids.

This allows families to enjoy the benefits of a high-quality, teacher-led program with the flexibility of long day care.

Our Kindergarten programs operate within our usual long day care hours (typically 6:30 am – 6:30 pm).

The Kindergarten program itself usually runs between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher.

Families can still drop off and pick up at times that suit their schedule, your child will be cared for before and after the Kindergarten program by our Educators.

You are not charged for the 15 free hours covered by the Government funding. Any additional hours outside that allocation are billed as part of your normal long day care fee and remain CCS-eligible.

Many families bring a cake or treat to share for birthdays, please ensure these are store-bought with ingredient labels and do not contain allergens such as nuts.

Due to child safety and privacy, families are not permitted to take photos within the centre.

For any specific centre practices or events, please speak with your Centre Manager.