Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House

Karalee Kindergarten and Schoolie House is a purpose-built service with three learning spaces available for children from 3 to 5 years. In addition we also offer before and after school care for students from Mount Crosby State School and Karalee State School. We run a Queensland Approved Kindergarten Program for our 4- to 5-year-olds.

“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.”

Karen, Karalee Kindergarten and School House Service Director

 

What Parents are Saying…

“Feedback about the centre as a whole: We’ve experienced a lot of centres with all the constant moving around for work and this is by far the best experience we’ve had. We love that there is regular feedback on how our kids are doing and there is always so much for them to do during their days. It was important to us that we found care that both our kids could spend time together if they wanted even though they are in separate class levels. They are well cared for, safe and happy while they are there and that’s all we could ask for. Thank-you for all you do.”

— Rhiannon Abberton

 

“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

Our Team

Julie-Watts
Julie Watts
Operations Manager (julie@playandlearn.net.au)

Facilities

Pre Kindy (3 years – 4 years)

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.

Experiences

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.

In our Pre Kindy group we will be

  • Running
  • Playing ball
  • Drawing
  • Painting and some days it will be messy.
  • Water play
  • Listening to story / music
  • Playdough and clay

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…

Kindergarten (4 years – 5 years)

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

Experiences

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.

Getting ready for Prep is:

  • Using language to communicate ideas and feelings.
  • Co-operating with peers without hitting /pushing and biting.
  • Adjust to separating from their primary caregiver
  • Working independently
  • Expressing ideas and thoughts though the arts
  • Developing language for problem solving i.e. Words like “lets negotiate”
  • Mastering fine and gross motor skills – I cannot write if I don’t know where my body is in time and space.
Schoolies (Prep - Year 6)

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.

In our Schoolies group we will be

  • Support the children in the morning to be ready for school
  • Assist with homework in the afternoons
  • Offer age-appropriate activities that engage the children

Exploring our large outdoor space with a basketball, netball and handball courts, rock wall, monkey bars and swings.

Fee Schedule

(Subject to change without prior notice)

Group Name Age Daily Fee
Junior Kindy & Pre-Prep 3yrs - 5yrs $111 (9am - 3pm)
$145 (Long Day)
Before School Care Prep to Year 6 $36.50
After School Care Prep to Year 6 $44.50
Before & After School Care (Same Day) Prep to Year 6 $79
Vacation Care Prep to Year 6 $118

What you need to bring

icon_hat

Wide Brim Hat

Your first sun smart hat is supplied by us
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Water Bottle

To keep children hydrated throughout the day
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Footwear

So little feet get used to wearing shoes
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Linen & Blankets

Bring your own linen & blankets
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Spare Clothes

For after water play or lunch time adventures
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A Bag

To put everything into morning and afternoon

Upcoming Events

Jan

New Year's Day

January 1, 2023

New Year's Day

Jan

Chinese New Year and Tet (Year of the Rabbit)

January 22, 2023

Chinese New Year and Tet (Year of the Rabbit)

Jan

Australia Day

January 26, 2023

Australia Day

Feb

World Wetlands Day

February 2, 2022

World Wetlands Day

Feb

Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2023

Valentine’s Day

Feb

Love You Pet Day

February 20, 2023

Love You Pet Day

Feb

Shrive Tuesday (Pancake Day)

February 21, 2023

Shrive Tuesday (Pancake Day)

Mar

Schools Clean up Day (Excursion)

March 3, 2023

Schools Clean up Day (Excursion)

Mar

Clean Up Australia Day

March 5, 2023

Clean Up Australia Day

Mar

St Patricks Day

March 17, 2023

St Patricks Day

Mar

Harmony Day

March 21, 2023

Harmony Day

Mar

World Water Day

March 22, 2023

World Water Day

Mar

Earth Hour Schools Day

March 24, 2023

Earth Hour Schools Day

Mar

Neighbour Day

March 26, 2023

Neighbour Day

Apr

International Children’s Book Day

April 2, 2023

International Children’s Book Day

Apr

Earth Day

April 22, 2023

Earth Day

Apr

ANZAC Day

April 25, 2023

ANZAC Day

May

NZ Music Month

May 1, 2023

NZ Music Month

May

International Compost Awareness Week begins

May 7, 2023

International Compost Awareness Week begins

May

Mother’s Day

May 14, 2023

Mother’s Day

May

International Day of Families

May 15, 2023

International Day of Families

May

National Sorry Day

May 26, 2023

National Sorry Day

May

National Reconciliation Week begins

May 27, 2023

National Reconciliation Week begins

Jun

World Environment Day

June 5, 2023

World Environment Day

Jun

World Oceans Day

June 8, 2023

World Oceans Day

Jun

World Refugee Day

June 20, 2023

World Refugee Day

Jul

NAIDOC Week begins

July 2, 2023

NAIDOC Week begins

Jul

Teddy Bears Picnic Day

July 10, 2023

Teddy Bears Picnic Day

Jul

National Pyjama Day

July 21, 2023

National Pyjama Day

Jul

National Schools Tree Day

July 28, 2023

National Schools Tree Day

Aug

National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

August 4, 2023

National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

Aug

Science Week begins

August 12, 2023

Science Week begins

Aug

Book Week begins

August 19, 2023

Book Week begins

Sep

National Wattle Day

September 1, 2023

National Wattle Day

Sep

Father’s Day

September 3, 2023

Father’s Day

Sep

National Child Protection Week begins

September 3, 2023

National Child Protection Week begins

Sep

International Day of Peace (UN)

September 21, 2023

International Day of Peace (UN)

Oct

World Animal Day

October 4, 2023

World Animal Day

Oct

World Teachers Day

October 5, 2023

World Teachers Day

Oct

World Food Day

October 16, 2023

World Food Day

Oct

Children’s Week begins

October 22, 2023

Children’s Week begins

Oct

Universal Children’s Day (Australia)

October 25, 2023

Universal Children’s Day (Australia)

Oct

National Grandparents Day

October 29, 2023

National Grandparents Day

Oct

Halloween

October 31, 2023

Halloween

Nov

National Recycling Week begins

November 6, 2023

National Recycling Week begins

Nov

Melbourne Cup Day

November 7, 2023

Melbourne Cup Day

Nov

Remembrance Day

November 11, 2023

Remembrance Day

Nov

Diwali/Deepavali

November 12, 2023

Diwali/Deepavali

Dec

International Day of People with Disability

December 3, 2023

International Day of People with Disability

Dec

Christmas Day

December 25, 2023

Christmas Day

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