“Our programs are play based aimed with knowledge that children learn best when provided with opportunities and environments to freely engage with the world around them in pursuit of their own interests and curiosities. The classroom environments are full of innovative and original activities that allow children time and space to explore and learn. Early Childhood Services are a platform in which children can practice the skills required for their futures such as friendships, exploring and understanding emotions and ultimately discovering their own footprint within the broader community.”
“The first impression I got from the kindy and the people who work there was wonderful. The way it is set up, all the new and fun learning toys. Lots of outdoor activities and plenty of shade. It was nice to meet everyone with their enthusiasm and happy faces. Liam liked it straight away and felt comfortable there. I was happy to leave him there, the way he felt. I’m sure our stay at your kindy will be a great one.”
— Karen Bass
“The transition for Adelyn has been so smooth. It’s been fantastic that Adelyn gets excited to go to kindy & most times comes home happy about the fun day she has had. I trust in her instincts and to go by her alone knowing how her educators must be great because she is always talking about them. Gives me confidence in knowing that each day I send her she is ok.
I think all the learning materials on hand are an added bonus, Adelyn gets bored very easily and I love knowing that she has plenty to explore. I will definitely continue to recommend you guys for as long as the way things are going continues.”
— Shannie Phillips
At Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House our Pre Kindy programs cater for children 3-4 years, where we welcome up to 22 children per day with 2 permanently employed Educators.
The service will be flexible with age groupings to meet the needs of our children, our families and the community.
Remaining flexible with age grouping allows for children of the same family to be together or children who are friends to remain together while settling.
Within this age group our educators are planning activities that develop the integrations of two brain hemispheres, fine hand co-ordination, sense of direction, awareness of time and many other really important areas of development.
So often we hear parents say “When will they learn their colours, their numbers and letters” and although this is somewhat important they ARE NOT the markers for a child’s ongoing success and later learning. What we mean is a child may be able to recite the alphabet but unable to sit for a story or problem solve with peers.
Our service looks at children holistically across many areas of development some that cannot be seen nor measured nor sent home on a piece of paper but please note we are always thinking planning and evaluating all that we do.
Climbing……. parents look away if you have to….! But small risky play is vital and if we deny children of risk taking in Early Childhood they will take greater risks as adolescents and these risks will have far graver consequences. So please allow us to be at the top of the fort…
Our Kindergarten program at Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House is our Approved Kindergarten program led by our Early Childhood Teacher.
The room is licenced for 22 children with 1 Teacher and 1 Educator. This room is designated for children who will be 4 years old by the 30th of June and then moving to Prep the following year.
Let’s get ready for Prep …….not really at Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House!! What??? What is being ready anyway? It will be so different for each child and each family. So often parents rely on markers such as knowing colours and letters as being school ready and that could not be further than the truth.
Prep teachers often tell us that if a child can look after their own belongings at school they will be eternally grateful…. But that doesn’t sound as glamorous at the end of the day does it…. “Oh...by the way your Billy put his pencil in the pencil holder today” said NO Teacher ever…..but at Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House those life skills are just as important as learning our colours.
Our Kindergarten program is based on the Queensland Curriculum Guidelines and a copy can be found at
www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/kindergarten/curriculum
We look at children holistically and our programs are play centered – (hence our name) Block play, games, puzzles, arts and crafts, dress ups, dancing, stories and singing are just a few things your child will enjoy.
Fun environments ensure that children learn best. When children are pressured to rote learn, recite and spend long periods of being directed and lectured by adults learning actually becomes far more difficult. When it happens naturally driven by children interests it has greater meaning and therefore retained more easily.
Our Schoolies space has been specifically designed to respect the schoolies children when coming to Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House for before or after school care. With their own designated room, with large storage space the children can create their own space within our service and feel like they belong. We have 2 bus drivers and 2 bus supervisors who will run our buses to the local schools to transport the children safely.
Exploring our large outdoor space with a basketball, netball and handball courts, rock wall, monkey bars and swings.
Group Name | Age | Daily Fee |
---|---|---|
Before School & After School Care (Mt Crosby State School & Karalee State School) | Prep to Year 6 | $20 per Morning Session (6:15am - 9am) |
$28 per Afternoon Session (3pm - 6:15pm) | ||
$45 for both sessions on same day | ||
Vacation Care (including incursions & excursions) | Prep to Year 6 | $80 per 9, 10 or 12 Hour Session |
Pre Kindy & Kindergarten | 3yrs - 5yrs | $70 per 6 Hour Session (9am - 3pm) |
$100 per 9, 10 or 12 Hour Session |
Queensland School Year Commences
Australia Day BBQ at the Centre
Australia Day (Centre Closed)
Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger
Read aloud day – bring your favourite book
Waitangi Day: New Zealand
Valentine’s Day
Clean Up Australia Day
Clean up Australia Day Excursion
International Women’s Day
St Patricks Day
World Storytelling Day – making our own stories
Harmony Day
World Water Day – water play day
School Holiday Program Begins
6th - 16th - Nature Play Week – nature walk excursions
Easter Bonnet Parade/Morning Tea for families
Good Friday (Centre Closed)
Easter Monday (Centre Closed)
QLD Term 2 Commences
ANZAC Day (Centre Closed)
Labour Day (Centre Closed)
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
Mother’s Day
Ipswich Show Holiday (Centre Closed)
Outdoor Classroom Day
Simultaneous Storytime “The Family Tree”
International Children’s Day
World Ocean Day
Red Nose Day
School Holiday Program Begins
3rd - 10th - NAIDOC Week
QLD Term 3 Begins
National Pyjama Day – Wear your favourite PJ’s
Dental Health Week – Dental visit excursion
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
Jeans for Genes Day – Come in Jeans
International Friendship Day
Ekka Show Holiday (Centre Open)
13th - 21st - National Science Week
Red Nose Day
20th - 26th - National Children’s Book Week – dress up week
Father’s Day afternoon tea
Australian National flag Day
Father’s Day
National Child protection week – visit from the Karana Downs Police Station
Early Childhood Educators Day
RUOK? Day
School Holiday Program Begins
Talk like a pirate day – pirate dress up day
Queens Birthday (Centre Closed)
Term 4 begins
4th - 10th - World space week
23rd - 29th - Children’s week
Day for Daniel – dress in red
Outdoor classroom day
8th - 14th - National recycling week
Remembrance Day
World Kindness Day
School Holiday Program begins
TBA - Children’s Christmas celebration
TBA – Kindergarten Graduation Celebration
Get in touch with the team at Play and Learn to discuss our range of service options and how we could be the best fit for your child today!