Programs
Currently, we have three groups running at Heatherdale, two 4-year-old groups of 22 children each, the Bilbies and the Bandicoots; and one 3-year-old group of 22 children, the Kookaburras. From 2024, we are offering 15 hour programs for our 3-year-old group and our 4-year-old groups will be split into 3 groups of 11. You can refer to the timetable below.
Each play activity, interaction and experience at the Preschool has a reason and aim behind it. Throughout the year, activities and experiences become more complex as the children's abilities, concentration span and interests mature. We have a professional commitment to establishing an environment for learning which challenges each child's potential at every new stage of development and which fosters a good self image.
As a result, the education program is very carefully planned by the teacher with the needs of individual children and the interests and levels of development of the group as a whole in mind. The program is made available for viewing to our families, regular program reflections/updates are sent via e-mail and the kinder whiteboard is kept on display to inform you about what the children have been doing on the day.
Timetable for 2025
Our kinder program is free for our three- and four-year-old classes from 2023 under the Victorian Government's Free Kinder initiative.
A $110 deposit is required to secure your child’s enrolment at Heatherdale Preschool.
Our teachers are constantly seeking to enrich our program. Part of this includes arranging several excursions and incursions for children throughout the school year – for example, an annual trip to Werribee Zoo for our four-year-old class. While the Victorian Government subsidises our day-to-day educational activities, it does not subsidise excursions or incursions. From 2023, Heatherdale Preschool will charge an Excursion/Incursion fee to cover the costs of these activities.
Join our kinder
Choose the option that best suits your household.
Three year old: Kookaburras
Ages 3 – 4
Our Three year old: Kookaburras program is full of hands-on activities and educational prompts that can be completed together.
Four year old: Bandicoots
Ages 4 – 5
Our Four year old: Bilbies & Bandicoots program incorporates more advanced learning opportunities without sacrificing any fun.
We are excited to be partnered with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation - Kitchen Garden Classroom
The program delivers pleasurable food education and teaches children to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal, delicious food in order to form positive food habits for life. It is fully integrated into our learning framework as it offers infinite possibilities to reinforce literacy, numeracy, science, cultural studies and all aspects of environmental sustainability.
The program is embedded in our daily routine with children and families invited to explore and engage in our different garden spaces.
