Programs
We offer 15 hours of funded kinder for each group, programmed in long-day and half-day sessions. In 2026, all groups are switching to long-day sessions.
Overview
- 15 hours of kinder for each group.
- Mixed-age programming: similar numbers of 3 and 4-year-olds in each group.
- In 2025: 2 long days of kinder (Yellow and Red groups) or 2 half-day and 1 long day (Blue and Green groups).
- Children in Yellow, Blue and Green groups mix with another group in each session, providing opportunities for different group dynamics and peer relationships.
- All groups attend the same sessions of kinder each week, building close peer and educator relationships.
- Green group attends a weekly session of bush kinder in the grounds of Rippon Lea Estate.
In 2026, group session times will change.
Benefits
International evidence shows that 15 hours per week with a qualified teacher in a high-quality early childhood setting can have a significant and lasting impact on children's development and learning.
High-quality kinder gives children a chance to support and develop their social skills, make new friends and play with other children. They develop increased self-awareness and respect for others, and build emotional awareness that will help them understand and process their feelings.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills are also well established in early learning environments and are foundation blocks for formal learning at school. The teachers at Ripponlea Kindergarten firmly believe these skills are building blocks for life-long learning.
Groups
Session times are for 2025.
Kurrborra (Koala)
- 3-year-old group
- Up to 10 children
- All sessions at Ripponlea Kindergarten.
Wednesdays 8.30 am – 4 pm · Thursdays 8.30 am – 4 pm
Warrin (Wombat)
- 3-year-old group
- Up to 10 children
- All sessions at Ripponlea Kindergarten.
Wednesdays 8.30 am – 1 pm · Thursdays 1 pm – 4 pm · Fridays 8.30 am – 4 pm
Gawarn (Echidna)
- 4-year-old group
- Up to 22 children
- All sessions at Ripponlea Kindergarten.
Mondays 8.30 am – 4 pm · Tuesdays 8.30 am – 4 pm
Walert (Possum)
- 4-year-old group
- Up to 12 children
- Rippon Lea Estate on Wednesdays (bush kinder).
Wednesdays 12.50 pm – 3.50 pm · Thursdays 8.30 am – 1 pm · Fridays 8.30 am – 4 pm
Weekly plan and communication
Our weekly plan is displayed on the outside noticeboard. It outlines the activities the children have been engaged in and also how we plan based on their interests and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
We also use an online communication platform called Kindyhub to communicate children's learning outcomes. Program goals are also set here and implementation of both teaching and learning are recorded via reports and photographs.
Family help roster
Family members (including grandparents) can volunteer to stay and play during our morning session or for bush kinder. This is a nice way for families to observe their children playing in the kinder environment. All family members who would like to take part will need an up-to-date Working with Children Check.
Siblings are welcome during stay and play sessions at the kinder, but not at bush kinder, unfortunately. Please be mindful that any siblings are your responsibility. We love to see families come into the kinder to help out. Don't fret about remembering what needs to be done, as there is a list in the kitchen explaining parent helper duties, and staff will direct and assist you.