Our Kindergarten Programs
Register now for 3 & 4 yo Kindergarten in 2026
To enquire about kinder in 2026 please click the 'enrol now' button and contact the admin team on info@hastingscck.vic.edu.au for assistance.
Register now for 3 & 4 yo Kindergarten in 2027!
We offer both three- and four-year-old kindergarten programs. Our classes are kept small to foster a supportive community oriented environment where children form strong relationships with their their peers and teacher.
As there are usually more families interested in attending HCCK than there are places available, any child wishing to enrol in our kindergarten program must be registered.
To register your child please fill out the registration form below. If you are unable to complete this form, please contact us for assistance.
Kindergarten offers will be sent to you by email please see the Kinder Registration Timeline here. You have 5 days to respond to the offer. While you can register at any time, registrations received 'on time' will be processed in the first.
One Funded Kinder Place per child
Your child can only access one funded kinder program at a time. By accepting an offered position in our Funded Kindergarten program at Hastings Childcare & Community Kinder you are electing to claim their child's one funded kindergarten place at our service.
Why attend 3 & 4 yo Kindergarten?
In our kindergarten program, qualified teachers support children by offering them a range of learning experiences and activities that are both stimulating and fun. Your child’s learning and curiosity will be encouraged through experiences and activities such as exploring the natural world, being exposed to new ideas and solving problems. Our programs will be tailored to meet the needs of children. Qualified teachers support children’s learning and development through play-based learning. Play-based learning is how young children learn best. It helps them to build important skills such as language, maths and science concepts, how to manage their emotions and get along with others. Children also develop their imagination, curiosity and a love of learning when learning through play. Talk to us about how to enrol today.
What will my child experience at Kinder?
The Kinder Tick
Our Kindergarten programs are endorsed by the State Government and have received the Government's Kinder Tick of approval. When you see the Kinder Tick, you can be confident:
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The program will be led by a qualified teacher
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Children will benefit from play-based learning
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The kindergarten program is funded and approved by the Victorian Government
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The program complies with government guidelines and the National Quality Framework
What makes our programs different?
Community Excursions
Our Community Kinder Excursion Program a distinctive initiative that combines beach and bush Kinder, along with a variety of engaging activities to keep children active and connected to the local community. Unlike other Kinders that focus on just one type of program, our Kinder offers both beach and bush experiences, allowing children to enjoy the best of both environments.
In Terms 2, 3, and 4, children in our 3 & 4-year-old Kindergarten programs explore beyond the classroom through into the local community. This program is designed for active learners who thrive by doing, seeing, and experiencing the real world firsthand. These adventures help children connect with the people and places around them while building the confidence and essential skills needed to navigate footpaths, cross roads safely and what to do if they ever get lost.
Our community partners and destinations include:
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Exploring the shoreline and local environment at Somers Beach.
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Storytime sessions at the Mornington Peninsula Library.
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Discovering local produce at High On Fruit.
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Building empathy & connection through Intergenerational visits to The Bays Retirement Village.
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Celebrating First Nations culture at Willum Warrain.
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Transition visits to St Mary’s Primary School to feel comfortable in the school environment and prepare for Prep.
School Readiness Curriculum
School readiness encompasses a mix of emotional, social, physical, and practical skills that children to feel confident, capable, and at ease as they transition Prep. Our curriculum targets the biggest predictors of long-term school success:
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Independence: Supporting children to manage their health and hygiene, including using the toilet independently (wiping, managing clothes, getting there on time) and recognising their written name to track their own belongings.
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Attention & Concentration: Building focus so children can sit and listen for short periods, and learn to follow multi-step instructions (e.g., "put on your shoes and coat, then line up").
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Language & Communication: Fostering strong expressive and receptive language skills. This includes building the ability to actively listen, clearly express needs, and confidently comprehend interactions.
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Social Skills: Learning how to take turns, share, build positive peer relationships, and develop crucial conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
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Separation Confidence: Supporting children to separate from parents and carers with confidence at the start of the day.
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Emotional Regulation: Helping children name their feelings and use positive strategies to regulate them.
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Resilience: Teaching children how to handle frustration, try again when things get hard, ask for help when they need it, and accept "no" calmly.
During Term 3, we attend scheduled excursions to the local primary school as part of our Community Kinder Excursion Program. These visits help children familiarise themselves with the 'big school' environment, ensuring a smooth and confident transition to this exciting new chapter.
Kitchen Garden Program
We are proud participants in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Our engaging food education inspires children and young people to and connect with fresh, delicious food through enjoyable, hands-on experiences. This method empowers them to acquire practical skills, seasonal produce, and cultivate a positive, confident, and lifelong relationship with food. Through interactive lessons on growing,, preparing, and sharing fresh, seasonal meals directly from garden to table, we also emphasize environmental care and sustainability with activities like composting and maintaining a worm farm. Additionally we promote positive food education through regular group cooking classes, helping children and young people establish healthy food habits for life.
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Our formal Kindergarten Program is designed to provide the highest quality education to young children. Our team of highly experienced and qualified Kindergarten Teachers ensure that our programs are rated as 'Excellent'. We believe in small class sizes, which allow each child to receive the attention they need to thrive and build strong relationships with their teachers and peers Additionally, we follow a School Readiness curriculum to ensure a smooth transition to school.
Experienced Teachers, small classes & school readiness curriculum
Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy
Before starting school, children need to have developed fine and gross motor skills, language and abilities, self-help and emotional competence, cognitive skills (including pre-literacy and numeracy), and play skills. Our service collaborates with Peninsula Health to provide Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy support to ensure that all children receive necessary assistance. Allied Health Specialists work alongside our Kindergarten teacher to develop strategies that best support children who may be experiencing physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, communicative, or functional limitations/difficulties. This can include difficulties with speech sounds, understanding and using language effectively, stuttering, writing, drawing, gripping a pencil, cutting with scissors, waiting their turn, and self-help skills such as taking off shoes and socks, feeding themselves, opening drink bottles, and going to the toilet independently.
Frequently asked questions
