Programs
We offer 15 hours of funded kinder for each group, programmed in 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.
- All groups (Yellow, Blue, Red and Green) have long-day sessions.
- 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.
Benefits
International evidence shows that 15 hours per week with a qualified teacher in a high-quality early childhood setting can have a lasting impact on children's development and learning.
High-quality kinder gives children a chance to develop their social skills, make new friends and play with other children. It builds self-awareness, respect for others, and emotional awareness, helping children understand and manage their feelings.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills are 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 2026
Kurrborra (Koala)
- 3-year-old group
- Up to 12 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 12 children
- All sessions at Ripponlea Kindergarten.
Wednesdays 8.30 am – 4 pm · Fridays 8.30 am – 4 pm
Gawarn (Echidna)
- 4-year-old group
- Up to 24 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 Thursday afternoons (bush kinder).
Thursdays 8.30 am – 4 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.