Early Childhood & Kindergarten

It is well-established that the early years are a crucial window for fostering positive health and wellbeing and for establishing the foundations that enable all children to become creative, entrepreneurial, resilient and capable learners. (Mitchell Report No.01/2016)

All children benefit from access to quality early learning. Two thirds of independent schools in Queensland offering primary schooling are delivering an early childhood service or are co-located and affiliated with an early childhood service. 

Participation in a quality early learning program at an independent school can help to provide a smooth transition for children moving on to Prep at the same school. A sense of community, strong relationships between kindergarten and Prep teachers, familiarity and confidence with their surroundings, all serve to provide a child with further opportunity for a successful transition.

Independent school early childhood services are approved services under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and are required to meet National Quality Standards (NQS). The NQF operates under the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations.

Under the National Regulations, services are required to base their educational program on an approved learning framework.  Independent schools utilise both The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG). The framework and guideline work together and allow for each independent school service to weave their own philosophy throughout their educational program.

Independent schools deliver, or are associated with, Queensland Government approved kindergarten programs for children in the year prior to Prep, in kindergarten services, long day care services and in some cases in composite programs with Prep children. Approved kindergarten programs are delivered by qualified early childhood teachers, both part-time and full-time, for the equivalent of a school year. These programs can be identified by the ‘kindy tick’.

Children need to be 4 years of age by 30 June in the year they enrol in an approved kindergarten program, however, flexibility exists around delayed entry and exit enrolments. Please contact schools or services directly to discuss enrolment policies.

Birth dates and kindergarten enrolment

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS AT INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

• Independent Schools Queensland Central Governing Body (ISQ CGB) > Membership body for short day/sessional kindergartens operated by independent schools.
• Queensland Lutheran Early Childhood Services (QLECS) > Central governing body for short day/sessional kindergartens within the Lutheran education system.
• Starting Blocks > Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s online resource for parents to step into early childhood education and care.
• National Quality Framework > Includes the National Law, National Regulations and National Quality Standard.
• Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
• Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG)
• The Early Years Count > Queensland Department of Education’s tips and information on supporting your child’s early learning and development, including stories from communities, families and Elders and resources for culturally diverse families.