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Corio Kindergarten

Kindergarten  gardening  tree-look

Children who attend 3 or 4-year-old Kindergarten receive a saving of $2050 in fees for the year. Speak to one of our management team to find out more. Enrolments are now open for 2024.

At Cheeky Clouds, we understand that the transition from our early learning centre in Corio to primary school can be an emotional time for both children and their families. Throughout the year, we aim to support children and their families in numerous ways to ensure that by the end of the children’s kindergarten year at our Corio Centre, they have the confidence to move forward to school, making the transition a happy and seamless experience for everyone involved.

The foundation of our curriculum at Cheeky Clouds is built on supporting children’s school readiness. This includes focusing on various aspects such as children’s social and emotional capacity, independence, language development, physical well-being and early literacy skills. Our dedicated team at the early learning centre in Corio supports the transition to school process through strong connections with local primary schools. Children are provided with opportunities to visit these schools and engage in a range of programs, familiarising themselves with the new environment.

During term four, our Kindergarten in Corio introduces lunch box days, where children are provided with their lunch boxes and a school-packed lunch. We also organise lunch order days, allowing children to order canteen lunches from our kitchen, just like they would in primary school. These activities help children develop a sense of independence and responsibility while preparing them for the routines they will encounter in school.

Before your child commences school, our experienced teachers at the Corio kindergarten will work in partnership with children, families and schools to develop a comprehensive Transition Learning and Development Statement. This statement provides a summary of your child’s learning, development, and interests, enabling your child’s school to continue supporting them in the best possible way as they transition from our early learning centre in Corio.

At Cheeky Clouds, we go above and beyond to ensure that the transition from our early learning centre and Kindergarten to primary school is as smooth and stress-free as possible for both children and their families. Our dedicated staff, well-designed curriculum, and strong community connections all contribute to making this important milestone a positive and exciting experience for everyone involved.

Free Kinder at Our Bush Kinder in Corio

The Victorian Government is providing families with a saving of up to $2050 to contribute to the cost of Kindergarten. This subsidy offsets the fees for children attending 3-year-old or 4-year-old Kindergarten in an Early Learning Centre, making early education more accessible for all children, including those attending our bush kinder. The subsidy is in addition to your Child Care Subsidy benefits, further reducing the financial burden on families.

Who is eligible?

All families with a child who attends a Government-funded 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten program, such as our bush kinder, are eligible to receive the subsidy payments regardless of their eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy. This means that more children can benefit from the unique learning experiences offered at our bush kinder in Corio.

How is it applied?

The subsidy is applied as a credit to your account after your Child Care Subsidy, effectively reducing your gap fee payments. This is applied during the Victorian school terms and will reduce your gap fees by up to $51.25 per week. Our bush kinder ensures that the subsidy is accurately applied to your account, making the process hassle-free for families.

What do I need to do to receive the subsidy?

Your child’s Early Learning Centre, including our bush kinder, will apply the credit to your account. As families can only receive the subsidy at one Government-funded Kindergarten, you will need to complete a declaration form confirming that our Early Learning Centre will be your child’s chosen funded Kinder service. Our friendly staff will assist you with this process, ensuring that you can take full advantage of the Free Kinder initiative.

With the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder initiative and our exceptional bush kinder program in Corio, we aim to provide children with the best possible start to their educational journey while supporting families financially. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child thrive in their early years.

 

Kindergarten Program

Kinder Program Hours of Operation at Our Early Learning Centre in Corio

Cheeky Clouds Kindergarten program operates Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Outside these hours, we offer the added benefit of flexibility for drop-off and collection as our early learning centre in Corio operates from 6:30am to 6:30pm, Monday through Friday. Children attending a 3 & 4-year-old Kindergarten program are required to attend for a minimum of 15 hours per week at our learning centre.

Educational Program at Our Early Learning Centre in Corio

At Cheeky Clouds Kindergarten, we believe in the importance of children being consulted in all matters that affect them, including their education and development. Our curriculum is based upon providing an environment that supports the whole child and empowers children to be co-constructors in their learning. Our Kindergarten teachers and educators draw upon diverse teaching styles, knowledge, and experiences to deliver a high-quality curriculum that is driven by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).

Our inquiry-based approach to children’s development at the learning centre provides the opportunity for sustained learning through a hands-on approach. This process of learning provides children with practical experiences that encourage them to construct their knowledge through investigation, problem-solving, and discovery.

Community Engagement at Our Early Learning Centre in Corio

Our Kindergarten values the importance of community. We understand that children will thrive when families and teachers work in partnership. Families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s learning at our early learning centre in Corio. The level of participation within our program will vary depending on each family’s circumstances. Throughout the year, we also offer regular parent-teacher meetings to discuss your child’s learning and development.

The wider community is an important aspect of our curriculum at the early learning centre, as children are provided with regular opportunities to strengthen their connection to the community and broaden their understanding of the diverse world around them. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Bush Kinder at the You Yangs regional park during terms one and four
  • 4-year-old beach kinder
  • Cooking classes with weekly visits to the supermarket and local grocer in terms two and three
  • Regular community walks
  • Visits to PetStock and the vet for the ongoing care of our centre animals
  • Library visits
  • Gpac performing arts visits
  • Dental Incursions
  • Termly Haircuts

Our learning centre is dedicated to providing a well-rounded, engaging and community-focused kindergarten experience for your child, ensuring they develop a strong foundation for their future learning and growth.

Free Kinder

The Victorian Government is providing families with a saving of up to $2050 to contribute to the cost of Kindergarten. This subsidy offsets the fees for children attending 3-year-old or 4-year-old Kindergarten in an Early Learning Centre, making early education more accessible for all children. The subsidy is in addition to your Child Care Subsidy benefits.

Who is eligible?

All families with a child who attends a Government funded 3 or 4 year old kindergarten program are eligible to receive the subsidy payments regardless if they are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy.

How is it applied?

The subsidy is applied to a credit to your account after your Child Care Subsidy, therefore reducing your gap fee payments. This is applied during the Victorian school terms and will reduce your gap fees by up to $51.25 per week.

What do I need to do to receive the subsidy?

Your child’s Early Learning Centre will apply the credit to your account, as families can only receive the subsidy at one Government funded kindergarten you will need to complete a declaration form that confirms that our Early Learning Centre will be your child’s chosen funded Kinder service.

Meet Our Teacher  chantal

My name is Chantal and I am the Kindergarten teacher at Cheeky Clouds Corio. I believe that children are best supported for their education in the early years through a holistic approach that understands the child as a whole; physical, mental, cultural, and family connections. Developing a curriculum that prepares children for the future entails creating learning environments that support safety, relationships, whole-world learning, and learning through doing and experiencing.

Bush Kinder Program  bush-kinder  busher-kinder

Going Back to Nature with Our Bush Kinder Program

We’re excited to announce that the children at Cheeky Clouds Corio are getting back to nature with our Bush Kinder program. This program gives children an opportunity to reconnect with the land in a completely natural environment, away from the distractions of toys and play equipment. Our Bush Kinder program helps them to develop an appreciation of Australia’s natural beauty while teaching the importance of maintaining the environment.

During terms one and four, our Cheeky Clouds Kindergarteners will venture to the You Yangs National Park, where they will be immersed in a rich environment as part of our Bush Kindergarten initiative. Bush Kinder runs during a range of weather conditions, providing children with a wide range of opportunities to explore the natural benefits of the environment fully.

What are the learning benefits of our Bush Kinder program?

There are many benefits of children spending time outdoors through our Bush Kindergarten, including increased health and well-being, language and social development, along with improved cognitive thinking skills and social development.

Exploring the natural environment as part of our Bush program encourages children to be imaginative without prompts from resources or classroom surroundings. Through nature, classroom learning concepts are also explored, including mathematical and science concepts, storytelling, art and creativity, and dramatic play. Our Bush Kindergarten also promotes opportunities for uninterrupted blocks of time where children are free to learn at their own pace.

One of the key learning benefits of our Kinder program is that children get acquainted with our native flora and fauna, such as the unique texture and look of our national plants and flowers, as well as learning their names. The natural world holds elements of surprise and delight.

At Cheeky Clouds, we acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land, the Wadawurrung peoples and their knowledge of learning. Our Bush Kinder program is guided by the Aboriginal eight ways pedagogy framework, which includes learning through the land and nature. This encourages children to develop an understanding of the importance of not taking things out of their natural environment or disturbing habitats.

Being free to roam in the natural world as part of our Kindergarten encourages children to take risks and build their self-confidence. These activities in our Kinder program might include constructing forts from fallen tree branches, climbing rocks and trees, cooking on a campfire, or jumping in muddy puddles.

What does our Bush Kinder program teach children about the environment?

Exploring the great outdoors through our Bush Kindergarten offers children the opportunity for organic interaction and the discovery of new and fascinating elements.

As the children explore during our program, they are introduced to a range of flora and fauna they might not experience in a domestic backyard, such as large trees, plants, shrubs, blossoms, insects, wildlife, types of rock, and underlying terrain. This kind of discovery leads to curiosity and inquiry questions that contribute to a wider understanding of ecological systems, geology, habitats, life cycles, and conservation.

Being unsheltered during Kindergarten also exposes children to natural weather patterns and their effects on the world around them. This plays a part in how they begin to comprehend phenomena such as drought and flooding.

If you have questions about our Bush Kinder program or you would like to enrol your child so they too can experience getting back to nature with us, call or email us.

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FAQs

What makes your early learning centre in Corio unique?

At Cheeky Clouds, our early learning centre in Corio stands out due to our commitment to providing a holistic, nurturing and engaging environment for children. We believe in fostering a love for learning from an early age, and our dedicated team of experienced educators works tirelessly to create a curriculum that supports each child’s individual needs and interests.

Our centre features state-of-the-art facilities and resources that encourage exploration, creativity and discovery.

What are the benefits of attending a kindergarten in Corio?

Attending a kindergarten in Corio offers numerous benefits for your child’s overall development. At Cheeky Clouds, our kindergarten program is designed to provide a strong foundation for your child’s future learning and success. Our experienced educators create a nurturing and stimulating environment that encourages children to explore, question and discover. Through play-based learning activities, your child will develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and social interaction. Our Kindergarten in Corio also focuses on fostering your child’s emotional and social well-being.

What is a bush kindergarten and how does it benefit children?

A bush kindergarten is an innovative approach to early childhood education that takes learning outside the traditional classroom setting and into nature.

During bush kindergarten sessions, children engage in a variety of activities that promote exploration, creativity and problem-solving skills. They might build shelters using natural materials, create art using found objects, or investigate the flora and fauna around them. These experiences help children develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, fostering a lifelong love for learning.

What can I expect from the bush kinder program in Corio?

Our bush kinder program in Corio is a unique and exciting opportunity for your child to connect with nature and develop a range of important skills.

During each bush kinder session, your child will be guided by our experienced educators as they explore the natural environment. They will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, such as nature walks, storytelling, arts and crafts using natural materials, and open-ended play. The bush kinder program in Corio is designed to encourage your child’s curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.