St Ives Chase Kindergarten

At St Ives Chase Kindergarten, educators provide a varied program based on the children’s interests, observations and family input. 

• Sports and dance program: a multisports program focusing on ball skills, coordination, locomotor movement and participation. 

• Music and movement program: the children enjoy experiences throughout the day that build on their skills in this area. 

• Gardening: the children love helping with the veggie garden, growing their own herbs and food to taste.

• Incursions: the children enjoy visits from special guests based on their interests. 

• School readiness: preparing the children for the next steps in their education.

At St Ives Chase Kindergarten, there are two classrooms for two age ranges, the Kangaroos (3-4 year olds) and the Koalas (4-5 year olds), with up to 20 children per day in each room. The children are able to engage in a wide variety of experiences that are planned to further enrich their development and provide a positive and supportive start to their education. The experiences planned offered are a balance of children led and teacher led, ensuring that the plans are relevant to the children and their skills and interests.

Teachers provide a heartfelt, caring, happy environment that inspires the children’s natural curiosity, and instils self-assurance in their innate abilities. Educators ensure that children will be fully prepared for their first years at school, and that they will become confident and involved learners, effective communicators, and have a strong sense of identity and wellbeing.

The highly experienced educators at St Ives Chase Kindergarten offer a secure and safe environment where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are explored, and discovery is celebrated. Relationships with families are key for the educators, as they recognise that families are a child’s first and most influential teacher.

With a low staff turnover rate, the team places great value on culture, whether it be a family’s cultural background, their family traditions and practices or languages spoken. They believe that it is important for children, families and educators to feel connected to the kindergarten, that their culture is reflected in their experience, that they belong. Educators communicate with families in person as well as through the centre app, where parents can maintain contact with their children’s experiences through photos, stories and learning outcomes. Educators are committed to helping each child reach their full potential.

Being an educator means having the privilege of witnessing amazing learning in the early years and encouraging that learning each and every day.  It’s especially exciting to see young preverbal children demonstrate how much they already know about their world, people and things around them. 

As an early Childhood teacher, I feel privileged to participate in their learning experience.  I am committed to advocating for Children’s rights and inclusion practices. I’m passionate about connecting with our community through strong relationships to support families and children to thrive. It’s such a rewarding job and it amazes me every day that I play a small part in our children’s lives helping them grow and develop all their skills for life. 

Tina,  Centre Manager,  St Ives Chase Kindergarten