Kindergarten - pre-prep
3 years to school age
C&K offers a pre-prep program for three and a half to four and a half year olds.
According to DETA's own research (Preparing for School Trials Progress Report 2), C&K kindergartens have been proven to give children the best head start in the prep year. C&K childcare centres offer the same pre-prep programs as C&K kindergartens. Both services offer a play based curriculum which allows for learning in a variety of ways. We believe learning should be fun and meaningful and therefore our services offer your child an enriched environment so they can initiate and maintain their own learning.
The target age group for C&K’s kindergarten pre-prep program are children who turn four years old by 30 June in the year they attend (i.e. children in the year immediately prior to the prep year). Children who are three years old by 31 December in the year prior to enrolment may attend a C&K kindergarten pre-prep program, as long as children of the target age group on the waiting list have been placed and vacancies exist.
We acknowledge that in some instances certain children will benefit from a second year in a C&K kindergarten pre-prep program. In these cases we will consult with the centre and family to work out the best strategy for the child. We will take each case on an individual basis.
Our role is to ensure that each child cultivates a lifelong love of learning, is reaching their potential and that when they leave our service they are prepared for school and later life.
Get involved
A C&K kindergarten experience gives you and your family numerous opportunities to be actively involved in your child's learning.
You can take a personal role in the running of the centre by serving on the management committee (for affiliated services) and parent advisory group (for branch services), while rosters and home visits provide other opportunities for families to be involved.
C&K affiliated kindergartens are managed by an elected volunteer committee comprised mainly of C&K parents. To assist committee members, C&K runs Kindergarten Management Made Easy seminars at the beginning of each year. These cover basic management techniques and requirements. Committees also receive support from C&K’s early education and care consultants throughout the year.
Quality teachers
C&K’s teaching team are dedicated professionals. A significant indicator of a quality early childhood program is highly qualifi ed staff. C&K community kindergartens employ university qualified early childhood teachers who are registered with the Queensland College of Teachers.
More time with your child
A high teacher/child ratio allows our teaching team the individual time to spend with your child. C&K kindergartens have one full-time university qualifi ed teacher and one full-time early childhood qualified assistant for every 22 children.
Program times
A C&K pre-prep program is usually held two or three days a week between 9am and 2.30pm. Some kindergarten services also offer after hours care. Contact your service for specific program times.
Waiting lists / Enrolments
To avoid disappointment, we strongly urge you to contact the centre directly to enquire about their specific enrolment and waiting list policy. The type of care options you have to choose from will be limited if you do not plan early. Waiting lists are long in some areas because there are few children’s services so it is advised to book as early as possible.
Children enrolling in a DECKAS funded community kindergarten are only able to enrol in one sessional program (2 / 3 days or other C&K approved sessional program) and in only one DECKAS funded community kindergarten.
Families wishing to seek alternative enrolment patterns or to access more than one DECKAS funded community kindergarten must seek written permission from C&K. Pre-prep enrolments must meet C&K Affiliation & DECKAS funding guidelines.
Fees
Fees vary so we recommend you contact your nearest service for fee information. Parents who are eligible may claim the Child Care Benefit (CCB). It is advised to check your service’s CCB status.
For more information contact the Commonwealth Government’s Family Assistance office on 13 61 50.