Cire Early Learning proudly provides strong foundations for a lifelong love of learning, exploration and connection to community.
Discover our Enriching Programs
3 and 4 year old Kindergarten
Cire Early Learning’s Kindergarten program promotes a strong education foundation that plays an important role in preparing young learners for primary school. Through play and exploration, children can develop important social and emotional and academic skills, such as cooperation, communication, literacy and numeracy. The earlier your child starts kindergarten, the better prepared they’ll be for the next stage of their learning and growth.
Long Day Care
We offer a high-quality long day care program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years with work-friendly hours to support busy families.
Gumboots Playgroup
Led by a qualified early childhood educator, this program provides a supportive environment for your child’s growth and learning through play, while also fostering social interaction with other children.
*Services vary at each Early Learning Centre.
Why choose Cire Early Learning?
- Passionate and professional educators
- Large natural outdoor spaces
- Quality education and care
- Reggio Emilia inspired approach
- Sessional and integrated funded kindergarten programs
- Not-for-profit community based Early Learning Centres
Fostering environments where children are encouraged to learn through hands-on experiences.
Our educational programs are designed in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and Early Years Learning and Development Framework’s guidelines.
Reggio Emilia Inspired Educational Experiences
Our curriculum and spaces are designed to ignite a child’s imagination and establish positive relationships with education and the world around them at an early age.
Through our Reggio Emilia inspired approach to education and care, we aim to provide a nurturing environment where children not only learn but thrive.
Discover the Cire Early Learning difference
Find a Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I enrol my child in an early learning service?
For our long day care and occasional care services you can enrol your child at any time from 6 weeks of age.
How old does my child need to be to enrol in a funded kindergarten program?
For 3-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn three years by 30th April in the year they are attending.
For 4-year-old kindergarten, your child must turn four years old by 30th April in the year they are attending.
What is ‘Long Day Care’?
Our Long Day Care services offer education and care for children from 6:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday for fifty weeks per year.
This option is well-suited for working parents and individuals needing consistent childcare.
What is the difference between Cire Early Learning’s integrated and sessional kindergarten programs?
At Cire Early Learning, we offer an integrated kindergarten program within our long day care service.
As the name suggests, long day care provides care for a full day from 6.30am to 6.30pm. With our integrated kindergarten program you get the benefit of having a qualified kindergarten teacher delivering the program with assistant educators supporting the kindergarten program across the day. As part of the Government free kinder initiative, children doing funded kinder in long day care for 15 hours will receive a free kinder subsidy that is applied to your account.
Our sessional kindergarten program is also delivered by a qualified kindergarten teacher and provides fifteen hours of kindergarten for both 3 and 4 year old children. Depending on the kindergarten, this may be three x 5-hour sessions or two x 7.5-hour sessions. Sessional kindergarten is free for all eligible children.
Do our Early Learning services follow a curriculum?
Our programs use both the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework to build on children’s skills while at the same time guided by other early learning approaches such as Reggio Emilia.
This framework describes childhood as a time of belonging, being, and becoming. Educators work in partnership with families to develop responsive learning programs that cater to children’s ideas, interests, strengths, and abilities, acknowledging that children learn through play.
How will I know what my child has done all day?
We utilise the Xplor Home App, a digital platform that facilitates communication between our educators and parents. Through this app, you can:
- Sign your children in/out using a QR code.
- Receive updates
- Engage in communication through the “Comms” platform with centre educators.
- Request casual bookings for long day care and occasional care.
- Notify us of absences.
- Access your statements at any time (if applicable).
- View recommended parenting content from our Educators.
We believe that learning extends to the home environment, so we aim to keep parents/guardians informed about their child’s activities. Educators prioritise in-person discussions with parents during drop off and collection times.
The Xplor Home App empowers educators to share information about children’s development, milestones, and learning experiences with families. It also serves as a means to communicate learning stories, observations, updates, and aids in planning the educational program.
Why are the first five years of a child’s life so important?
Recent research has revealed significant insights into the impact of a child’s first five years on their long-term development. Studies indicate that 90% of a child’s brain is developed within this crucial period, and early advantages often lead to sustained progress beyond childhood.
As time progresses, it becomes increasingly challenging to bridge the gap between children who are excelling and those lagging behind. This underscores the critical importance of establishing a strong foundation from the outset to provide our children with the best opportunities for their future.
Are Cire’s kindergarten teachers qualified?
Absolutely, all our kindergarten teachers are fully qualified.
What is the price of kindergarten?
Free Kinder is available for 15 hours for both 3 and 4 year old kindergarten. Cire Early Learning’s sessional kindergarten programs is free and in our long day care services, children doing funded kindergarten receive a $2050 per year free kinder subsidy off their fees across the year of attendance.
How are fees paid?
At Cire Early Learning, we require payment via direct debit paid two weeks in advance.
What sun safety guidelines does Cire Early Learning follow?
We follow the Sun Smart program based on the guidelines from Anti-Cancer Council. Families are asked to provide a labeled sunhat that is kept at the Service. Clothing covering shoulders is required, as is a water bottle. Sunscreen is applied before going outdoors and staff monitor the UV levels daily.
What support is available for children with additional needs?
We are passionate about ensuring all children have access to early learning and work with various organisations to assist children that may need additional support. Please talk to the team at your preferred service for further information.
What is provided at a long day care service?:
For Cire long day care services we provide the following for each child:
- sunscreen (unless your child needs their own sunscreen)
- all meals – nutritionally balanced meals are served taking into account children’s needs, allergies and food requirements
- nappies
- bibs
Are nappies provided?
Cire’s long day care services, provide nappies.
What do I need to pack in my child’s bag at sessional kindergarten service?
At Cire Early Learning’s sessional kindergarten services, we aim to make the transition to early years learning as seamless as possible by providing all the essential items.
While a detailed list will be provided in your induction kit, here’s a general guide on what you may need to bring each day:
- Sun safe hat
- Nappies/Pull ups
- Two changes of clothes (occasionally hands on play can get a little messy as we as any little accidents that may occur)
- Comfort item for nap time (if needed)
- Drink bottle for access to water throughout the day
- As a sun-safe organisation we provide child-friendly sunscreen, however if your child has sensitive skin please feel free to provide your preferred brand.
- Lunch box with lunch and snacks
Do the children receive meals throughout the day?
Our Long Day Care services provide all meals and have a dedicated cook preparing fresh, wholesome meals offering breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. We recognise the crucial role a nutritious diet plays in a child’s development and ensure all meals are packed with the necessary nutrients and energy. Our menu is part of the Healthy eating Advisory Service and is multi-cultural and varied. We cater for all allergies, food intolerances and food requirements.
What hours are your centres open?
Our services are open Monday to Friday. Open hours for each location are:
- Chirnside Park
8:30am to 4.30pm - Yarra Junction Long Day Care
6:30am to 6:30pm - Mount Evelyn
6:30am to 6:30pm - Hollins (Pakenham)
8:30am to 4.30pm - Yarra Junction Gumboots Playgroup
Tuesdays 9.30am to 11.30am
Does Cire Early Learning operate all year?
Our long day care services are open fifty weeks for the year, closing only over Christmas and New Year period. Our sessional kindergarten services operate during the school term, closing during school holiday periods.
What is the cost of your programs?
Costs vary depending on the service. Please speak with a friendly member of our team for further details.
What government rebates and benefits are available to families?
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a payment offered by the Australian Government. Eligibility is means-tested based on your combined family income, the fortnightly activity of families – such as work, study or volunteering and the type of service a child attends. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may also be other government funding available.
To find out if you are eligible for CCS visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/child-care-subsidy.
Do I still need to pay for a scheduled day if my child is sick?
In a Child Care Subsidy eligible service your CCS will cover up to 42 absence days a year with no documentation and unlimited sick days if you’re able to provide a medical certificate or similar.
Do I still need to pay for a scheduled day if we go on holiday?
Standard fees apply for all absences which fall on a scheduled day of attendance. However, we understand that we all need a holiday and offer a discount of up to four weeks on fees each calendar year. We do need to be made aware in advance and require written notice two weeks in advance to receive a 25% discount on the full fee amount
(Fee payments need to be up to date to receive the holiday discount).
Have a question that isn’t listed? We would be happy to answer!