Melbourne Kindergarten Across Various Locations
Building a strong educational foundation with the focus on a smooth and successful transition to primary school.
A Safe And Caring Learning Environment
Our kindergarten program is thoughtfully designed to equip children with the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to thrive as they prepare for primary school. Through a combination of structured learning opportunities and play based exploration, children develop essential early literacy, numeracy and social skills.
Our experienced educators foster a love of learning, encourage creativity and build resilience, ensuring each child is prepared for a smooth and successful transition to primary school.
Integrated Kinder
Integrated kindergarten in a long day care combines the structured learning experience of a kindergarten program with the flexibility and extended hours of long day care services.
This model is designed to support families who require care beyond traditional kindergarten hours while still offering a high-quality, play-based curriculum delivered by qualified early childhood teachers.
- Croydon
- Lilydale
- Mt Evelyn
- Yarra Junction
With the convenience of longer hours, your child can transition seamlessly between play, learning, and rest, providing a holistic approach that suits the diverse needs of modern families.
Sessional Kinder
Sessional kindergarten is a structured, part-time program designed to support children in their early years of learning and development. Children engage in guided activities, build social connections, and explore their natural curiosities in a supportive and stimulating environment.
The flexible schedule allows families to balance their own commitments while ensuring their children benefit from a high-quality early education program. Sessional kinder is offered at two Cire Early Learning locations:
- Chirnside Park
- Pakenham
Delivered by qualified educators, sessional kindergarten focuses on fostering foundational skills, including communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, empowering children to thrive as they embark on their educational journeys.
Discover Cire Kindergarten
Centre Schedules
Cire Early Learning – Chirnside Park
Hollins Children’s Centre – Pakenham
Your child is eligible for Early Start Kindergarten funding if they are aged three by 30th April, in the year they will be attending a kindergarten program.
3-Year-Old Kindergarten
Two years of preparation for school is invaluable for children, and begins with a 3-year-old kindergarten curriculum. At Cire, our program offers opportunities for incursions, excursions, and meaningful interactions with the community.
Families can access up to 15 hours of free 3-year-old kinder per week through Victoria’s Best Start, Best Life reforms. To be eligible, your child must be three years of age by 30th April, in the year they will be attending a kindergarten program.
Free Kinder
Victoria’s Best Start, Best Life program means families can access free kinder at Cire. For integrated kinder, you may still be eligible for the Victorian Child Care Subsidy (CCS) while your child is accessing free kinder.
Centre Schedules
Cire Early Learning – Chirnside Park
Hollins Children’s Centre – Pakenham
Your child is eligible for Kindergarten funding if they are aged four by 30th April, in the year they will be attending a kindergarten program.
4-Year-Old Kindergarten
4-year-old kindergarten develops foundational learning and social skills to support a seamless transition to school.
Families can access 15 hours of free kinder per week, soon to be named ‘Pre-Prep’, through Victoria’s Best Start, Best Life reforms. To be eligible to attend, your child must turn 4 years of age by April 30, the year they start kindergarten.
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Contact Our Support Team
Our friendly team are always happy to help and can be contacted by:
How can I enroll my child at Cire Early Learning?
To begin the process, you can complete an enquiry form on the Cire website or call our support team on 1300 835 235.
Are all kindergarten programs at Cire led by qualified teachers?
Every kindergarten program at Cire is led by a university-trained, Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. This ensures that every child in a Cire Melbourne kindergarten program receives an education that aligns with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).
Do Cire programs include Bush Kinder?
Yes, Cire is well-known for its Bush Kinder program. This experience takes the Melbourne kindergarten curriculum outdoors, allowing children to learn in local bushland settings. They explore nature, build resilience and develop problem-solving skills in an open-ended, natural environment.
Which Cire locations offer kindergarten?
Cire provides high-quality Melbourne kindergarten options across several locations to support local families. You can access sessional programs at Chirnside Park and Pakenham (Hollins Children’s Centre), or integrated programs at our Croydon, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Junction centres.
Is kindergarten compulsory in Victoria?
No, kindergarten is not compulsory. However, it is strongly recommended because it helps children develop the social, emotional and cognitive skills needed for school. Most families find that attending two years of a quality Melbourne kindergarten program creates a much smoother transition to primary school.