Community Kids Chirnside Park Early Education Centre

Exceeding
Victoria Kindergarten
5.0 /5
27 reviews

Childcare and kindergarten in Chirnside Park, VIC

Welcome to Community Kids Chirnside Park. Our daycare and early learning centre is ideally located for families in Chirnside Park, Croydon, Mooroolbark and Lilydale in Melbourne. Community Kids Chirnside Park offers long day care and a kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with extended hours to suit busy families.

Our purpose-built childcare and kindergarten centre in Chirnside Park offers innovative early learning programs in a safe and nurturing environment. Our Chirnside Park childcare centre features expansive outdoor play areas with sensory and natural play, two vegetable gardens, and spaces for creative and dramatic play. Indoors, our calm, purpose-built spaces support holistic development through play-based learning. We have been an ACECQA-rated Exceeding service for over 10 years, with an Active Reconciliation Action Plan, fostering respect, relationships, and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Our dedicated, long-tenured educators create a nurturing environment where each child feels safe. Our Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers collaborate with the local primary school to deliver a Government-approved Kindergarten program that prepares children for a smooth transition to school. Our children enjoy community outings and weekly Happy Feet Fitness incursions.

Why you’ll love Community Kids Chirnside Park

Spacious outdoor environments

Passionate, qualified educators

Nappies and wipes provided

Chef-prepared meals

Government-approved Kindergarten program

Local school connections

Family communication app

Extended/flexible hours

Incursions/excursions

Music and movement

Meet our Centre Manager

Rebecca

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
“Fostering each child’s sense of agency is crucial in helping them grow and develop in an ever-changing world.”

I have been working at Community Kids Chirnside Park since 2005, progressing from Assistant Educator to Centre Manager. From a young age, I always wanted to work with children. Over the past 17 years, I have collaborated with our team to build a service committed to delivering quality outcomes for the children in our care.

My career has taught me that fostering each child’s sense of agency is crucial in helping them grow and develop in an ever-changing world. As educators, it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment that nurtures children’s social, emotional, and physical well-being and to work alongside families to create a circle of support that lifts children to their greatest potential.

It takes a village to raise a child. We have a long-serving, dedicated, and passionate team at Community Kids Chirnside Park. Our centre is a home away from home for our local community, focusing on a holistic approach to children’s well-being and education. We create engaging and aesthetic play spaces that respect children’s evolving abilities and continue to challenge ourselves to ensure we provide the best care.

We understand that starting at a new childcare centre can be overwhelming. From the first enquiry, we address all your questions one by one. We guide families through all the necessary forms and administration, including enrolment forms, Child Care Subsidy (CCS), explaining subsidies, government caps, centre schedules, our centre menu, and more.

I look forward to welcoming your family to Community Kids Chirnside Park early education centre.

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Our innovative early learning programs

At our early learning centre in Chirnside Park, our experienced educators and teachers continually seek innovative ways to enrich your child’s education. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, we offer a variety of engaging and diverse learning experiences, including:

Sustainability

Environmental responsibility is a focal point of our curriculum. Children participate in tending to vegetable gardens, caring for worm farms, composting, and learning about natural cycles. We emphasise using recycled resources and furniture to educate children on repurposing items and reducing landfill waste.

Community Engagement

Children and educators regularly go on excursions to explore the local community, including visits to the nature reserve, local shopping centre, and post office. These outings enrich their learning experiences and foster a sense of community connection.

Music and movement

Our evidence-based Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR) program is designed to develop fundamental skills that help support children’s self-regulation, memory, and concentration. It is an innovative approach to holistic learning, development and well-being in early childhood.

STEM

We encourage your child to ask questions, experiment, and problem-solve, all while engaging their natural curiosity. By fostering this inquisitive mindset, we help them develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

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Age-appropriate early learning

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(0-2 years)

Nursery

Our nursery room is purposely designed to make every baby feel safe exploring and discovering new things. Our spaces are filled with sensory experiences and activities to encourage intentional and responsive play-based learning. We focus on building secure relationships between children and educators, closely following home routines, and supporting each child in meeting their developmental milestones.

  Next: Toddlers
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(2-3 years)

Toddlers

Our toddler room is set up with intentional play-based learning in mind. Within the curriculum framework, play enables your toddler to develop fundamental skills for life-long learning. It also creates the perfect environment to socialise and form friendships. Our activities enhance language skills and promote collaborative group play, laying a strong foundation for their future learning experiences.

Previous: Nursery Next: Kindergarten
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Kindergarten

In our kindergarten room, our curriculum is tailored to accommodate your child’s individual learning and development needs, which helps boost their enthusiasm, motivation, and willingness to learn. Through structured learning experiences, our Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher and educators are committed to helping your child gain the necessary skills for a successful transition into school and beyond.

Previous: Toddlers  
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Victorian Government-approved Kindergarten program

Our kindergarten programs are tailored to meet your child’s individual learning needs across numeracy, literacy, emotional and social development, resilience, and self-regulation.

Our early learning centre offers the VIC Government-approved Kindergarten program, supporting your child’s development and well-being from now, at school and beyond. In Victoria, 3 and 4-year-old children are able to access a funded kindergarten program led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. If eligible, your child will be able to participate in the Government-approved Kindergarten program, at no cost, up to a minimum of 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year. Talk to us about how this reduces your out-of-pocket costs.

The added benefits of our kindergarten program include:

  • Extended long day care opening hours
  • Open all year round (excl. public holidays)
  • Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
  • Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation
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We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating

Our Chirnside Park childcare centre provides healthy, freshly made meals created daily by our in-house cook, catering to all dietary requirements, including allergies. Each meal is nutritionally balanced according to the Healthy Eating Advisory Service. Our menus rotate weekly over a four-week cycle, ensuring variety and a well-rounded diet for the children. We offer breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack to keep children nourished throughout the day.

What a typical day looks like for your child

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Arrival at the centre

Your child will be welcomed by our team of educators, who will ensure the morning transition from home to centre goes as smoothly as possible. On arrival, share information about your child’s specific needs for the day.

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Mealtimes

Our centre chefs prepare a nutritious menu for your child to sit down and eat. This is a great time for everyone to share stories from the day. Educators model healthy eating practices, social behaviours and support children’s growing independence with mealtime routines.

Previous: Arrival at the centre Next: Infant care
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Infant care

If you have an infant, we spend one-on-one time with them to establish a connection. Educators talk gently and respond to babies’ cues. We use songs, games, and conversations to strengthen relationships and build language skills.

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Play-based learning

Your child is naturally curious. They want to learn and explore, which is why we teach through play-based learning. It supports language, motor skills, memory, emotions and social relationships. Educators plan play-based learning experiences based on children’s interests and goals.

Previous: Infant care Next: Sleep, rest and relaxation
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Sleep, rest and relaxation

We match routines to your child’s individual needs. Opportunities for rest and relaxation help make them feel safe. Play-based learning experiences are provided for older children who no longer don’t sleep in centre.

Previous: Play-based learning Next: Heading home
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Heading home

As your child prepares to head home, this is your opportunity to speak with our friendly educators about your child’s day and everything they learnt. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow.

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Communicating with families

We prioritise clear and consistent communication with families to foster a strong partnership in supporting each child’s development. We ensure families feel informed, involved, and confident in their child’s early learning journey.

Our families love hearing about their child’s progress and the experiences they’re having day to day. We share these moments through centre newsletters, our Xplor App, one-on-one meetings, and at various centre events.

Fees

The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.

  • Nursery0 – 2 years

    $161.50
  • Toddler2 – 3 years

    $161.50
  • Kindergarten3 – 5 years

    $161.50

Child Care Subsidy Estimator

Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.*

1-4 days = full day session; 5 days = 10 hour per day sessions

CCS Estimator results

  • Estimated subsidy

    $0.00
  • Total fees

    $0.00
  • Out-of-pocket cost

    $0.00

*This estimator provides an estimate only and is based on the following assumptions:

  • Accuracy and currency of family income information entered.
  • Family CCS entitlements include 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Please note your family may be entitled to less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight – if you are unsure we recommend you use the comprehensive CCS estimator in the link below.
  • Where 1-4 days of care is selected, full day sessions apply (being full operational hours of the centre, which can vary between centres).
  • Where 5 days of care is selected, 10-hour per day sessions apply (ie, 50 hours p/w to optimise 100 hours of CCS subsidised care across the fortnight).
  • Where a family’s CCS entitlements include less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, please use the comprehensive CCS calculator as a guide via the link below.

For a more complete subsidy estimation, check out our comprehensive CCS calculator here.

Calculate my subsidy

Explore nearby G8 Education centres

Looking for other great childcare, kindergarten or preschool options? Discover more G8 Education centres near you!

Frequently asked questions

A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.

On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.

Our Family Support Team will add your child’s name to our waitlist if one of our childcare centres is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review availability, and you will receive a text message confirming whether you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call.

Our Family Support Team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Community Kids centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.

For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits and spare socks.

For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits and spare socks.

Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.

It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.

Community Kids uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.

After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.

If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Community Kids is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.

Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.

Contact us

We look forward to welcoming your family.