Find out more about Child Safety at C&K

What to pack for kindergarten

12th January 2026
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Starting kindergarten is a significant milestone for both children and their parents, and we understand that it can be nerve-wracking to navigate how to prepare and what to pack in your child’s bag.

Here’s our simple kindergarten packing checklist, along with practical tips to help you and your child feel ready for their first day.

Kindergarten packing essentials

  • A backpack large enough to hold all your child’s belongings
  • A wide-brimmed hat, with no chin strap
  • Water bottle
  • A spare change of clothes (learning can get messy!)
  • A lunchbox packed with nutritious food for the day (if not provided). Your Centre Director will be able to advise you of any food that will be provided and any food to avoid bringing in case of Allergies at your centre.
  • Bed sheets and blankets for nap time (if not provided)

If you are starting kindergarten with C&K, you’ll receive a free wide-brimmed hat and t-shirt as part of your enrolment, which you are welcome to wear on the days you attend your centre.

Do I need to label items for kindy?

Yes, all items should be labelled with your child's name so educators can easily determine ownership. It also helps your child to learn about their name and their belongings.

Some options for labelling items include:

  • Permanent markers
  • Waterproof stickers
  • Iron-on labels
  • Name stamps
  • Keyrings

Labels with fun designs are a great way to help young children recognise their belongings even before they can read their name.

Medications must be labelled with a pharmacy label, including the child’s name and directions for use. This also applies to non-prescription items such as sunscreen and insect repellent.

Helping your child prepare for their first day

In the lead-up to kindy, it can help to print a photo of what will be in your child’s bag each day and stick it where they can see it. You can also chat about what will be in their bag, and practice packing it. Our kindy friends love helping to pack their bags and ensuring they have everything they need for a fun-filled day.

Where do I put items for kindergarten when I arrive?

When you arrive at the centre, your teaching team will show you:

  • Your child’s designated space for their bag
  • The fridge for storing their lunchbox (please remove from insulated lunch bags before placing in the fridge)

Assist your child with storing their belongings. Knowing where they can find their things will help your child to feel confident and independent.

If you are ever unsure about what to pack or what your centre provides, don’t hesitate to reach out to your teaching team. They’re here to help make the transition as smooth as possible for your family.

Looking for more tips to help prepare for the start of your child’s kindy journey? Check out our “Building confidence for starting kindy: A guide for parents” blog post.

Memorial Park Community Kindergarten

3.5 years - 5 years

Memorial Park Community Kindergarten

Welcome to Memorial Park Community Kindergarten. A place where play takes centre stage in your child’s education and where children are given time to explore, discover and learn! At Memorial Park kindy we provide a fun, stimulating and natural environment that will foster learning through real life experiences. We strive to provide a program that is play based but also incorporates intentional teaching, focusing on the needs and interests of the child and accepting and embracing that each child is a unique individual with his/her own pattern of development, temperament and potential for learning.

We are committed to ensuring that our program reflects and meets the needs and interests of the Maroochydore community based on the principles of social inclusion, participation and equity, and we celebrate the diversity within our community. We acknowledge the importance of the Gubbi Gubbi community in the life of our kindergarten.

As an affiliated centre of C&K, Memorial Park Community Kindergarten receives support from C&K as the Central Governing Body but operates as an independent incorporated association managed by a volunteer management committee. Centres affiliated with C&K receive comprehensive support in governance, including managing kindergarten and inclusion funding, training for committees and educators, advice and support regarding inclusion, use of the C&K brand, curriculum approach and resource materials.

C&K’s Claire Allsop named National Leader of the Year for championing inclusion in early childhood education

24th November 2025
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C&K’s Principal Advisor of Inclusion, Claire Allsop, has been named Leader of the Year at the 2025 Reimagine Australia National Awards, recognising her exceptional leadership in embedding inclusion as a defining feature of quality early childhood education and care.

The national award celebrates leaders who drive systemic change through collaboration, vision, and a deep commitment to children and families.

Since joining C&K 18 months ago, Claire has built on the organisation’s strong foundation of inclusive practice, helping to further embed inclusion as a culture grounded in equity, dignity, and belonging. Her work has strengthened C&K’s approach so that every child, regardless of diagnosis, ability, or background, can participate fully in rich learning environments.

“My focus is ensuring that inclusion is a foundational practice, not something that we bolt-on,” Claire said.

“It is about truly knowing a child as a child first and foremost, understanding what they love, what brings them joy, and what goals they and their families have, to build an incredible future and a smooth transition into their next step.”

Claire has worked on important projects which have assisted C&K in redeveloping the Education Support Plan, placing strengths-based language and evidence-informed approaches at the centre of practice. She has also implemented specialised equipment funding to remove physical barriers for children with disabilities and established the Inclusion Book Club, a professional learning initiative fostering reflection, confidence and practical capability among educators.

C&K Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sandra Cheeseman, said the recognition reflects both Claire’s leadership and C&K’s longstanding commitment to inclusive, high-quality early childhood education.

Dr Cheeseman elaborated, “Claire’s ability to guide educators towards deeply inclusive practice has strengthened outcomes for children, families and communities across Queensland.”

Looking ahead, Claire will continue to work on projects focused on embedding inclusive principles across curriculum, pedagogy and professional learning.

Claire added, “This focus of inclusion being foundational in every program and practice is something that C&K and I are deeply dedicated to further, our projects moving into 2026 are exciting.”

C&K congratulates Claire on this well-deserved national recognition, which highlights the vital role of inclusion in shaping positive and equitable futures for all children.

Claire Allsop with her award

For all media inquiries, please contact media@candk.asn.au

Kindy begins! Let's play.

20th November 2025
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The first day of kindy is finally here, an exciting milestone filled with new faces, discoveries, and adventures! We’re here to let you know it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves, and it’s normal for there to be some ups and downs during the first few weeks.

Understanding the settling-in period

It's completely normal for children to experience a range of emotions during their first week. Here's what you might see:

Day one excitement: Many children are happy and curious on the first day, eager to explore their new environment.

The reality check: By day two or three, some children realise this is their new routine and may become tearful or resistant. This is normal and temporary.

Different timelines: Some children settle immediately, while others need several weeks. Both experiences are perfectly normal, and your child's teachers understand this completely.

Ups and downs: Your child might have a great morning and a difficult afternoon, or vice versa. Emotions can fluctuate as they adjust.

Supporting your child through the transition

Maintain routines: Consistent wake-up times, meals, and bedtimes help children feel secure during periods of change.

Ask open-ended questions: Instead of "Did you have fun?" try "What did you play with today?" or "Who did you sit with at lunch?" This encourages more detailed sharing.

Listen without pressure: If your child doesn't want to talk about kindy immediately, that's okay. Some children need processing time before they're ready to share.

Acknowledge feelings: If your child expresses worry or sadness, validate their emotions: "It's okay to feel nervous about new things. That shows you're brave for trying."

Celebrate small wins: "You made a new friend!" or “You were brave when you waved me goodbye today!”. These acknowledgements build confidence.

Stay consistent: Even if mornings are difficult, maintaining the routine shows your child that kindy is a safe, normal part of their life.

Connecting with your child's teachers

Your child's educators are your partners in this journey.

Share important information: Let teachers know about your child's interests, fears, dietary needs, or anything that might help them provide better support.

Ask questions: Teachers welcome your questions about how your child is settling in, what they're learning, and how you can support them at home.

Trust their expertise: Teachers have guided countless children through this transition and understand that every child settles at their own pace.

Communicate concerns: If you're worried about something, speak up. Early communication helps address issues before they become bigger problems.

Be patient with yourself: This is a transition for you too, and it's okay to have your own feelings about it.

What the kindy team are doing to help

Behind the scenes, your child's teachers are:

  • Creating a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels valued
  • Establishing predictable routines that help children feel secure
  • Offering choices to give children a sense of control
  • Redirecting attention when children are upset, engaging them in activities they enjoy
  • Building individual relationships with each child, learning their personalities and preferences
  • Communicating regularly with families about their child's progress and experiences
  • Watching for signs that a child needs extra support or comfort
Common first week challenges and solutions

"My child cries at drop-off": This is very common and usually resolves within minutes after you leave. Teachers will update you if tears persist.

"My child is exhausted": Kindy is physically and emotionally demanding. Ensure early bedtimes and quiet downtime after pick-up.

"My child won't talk about their day": Some children need time to decompress. Try asking specific questions later, or let them share when they're ready.

"My child says they don't want to go back": This is normal during the adjustment period. Stay positive, maintain the routine, and work with teachers to understand what's happening.

When to seek extra support

While most children settle within a few weeks, please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.

Building confidence for starting kindy: A guide for parents

19th November 2025
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Starting kindy is an exciting milestone for both children and parents. In the months leading up to that first day, there are many simple, joyful ways you can help your child build the confidence and skills they need to thrive in their new learning environment.

Why early preparation matters

Kindy is a wonderful time for your child to develop the social and emotional skills that will help them build friendships, navigate new experiences, and feel confident in their learning journey. The good news? You can start nurturing these skills at home right now, making the transition smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

Building independence skills
Practicing everyday tasks helps children feel capable and confident. In the months before kindy starts, try:

  • Lunchbox mastery: Let your child practice opening containers, unwrapping snacks, and using utensils independently
  • Self-care routines: Encourage them to wash their hands, put on their shoes, and zip their backpack
  • Morning routines: Establish a consistent pattern of getting dressed, eating breakfast, and packing their bag so the rhythm feels familiar
  • Celebrate small wins: Each time they master a new skill, acknowledge their achievement with enthusiasm

Nurturing social and emotional skills
These skills form the foundation for positive relationships and emotional wellbeing:

  • Name those feelings: Ask "How does that make you feel?" and validate their emotions, helping them develop emotional awareness and vocabulary
  • Practice sharing and turn-taking: Use simple games and everyday activities to build patience and cooperation
  • Model kindness: Practice using words like "please," "thank you," and "can I have a turn?" until they become natural
  • Build empathy: Talk about how friends or book characters might be feeling to help your child understand others' emotions
  • Encourage problem-solving: When challenges arise, ask "What could we do?" to empower them to think through solutions
  • Praise the effort: Focus on persistence and trying rather than just outcomes, building resilience for new experiences

Reducing separation anxiety
Saying goodbye can be difficult, but these strategies can help ease the transition:

  • Practice goodbye routines: Create a special hug, wave, or phrase you'll use each morning, then practice it at home
  • Read kindy stories together: Books about starting school help children visualise their day in a positive way
  • Visit beforehand: If possible, explore the kindy together so the environment feels familiar and welcoming
  • Talk about the reunion: Remind your child that you'll always come back, and discuss what you'll do together after kindy
  • Keep goodbyes brief and positive: Long, emotional farewells can increase anxiety - a warm hug and confident "See you soon!" works best
  • Trust the teachers: Your child's educators are experienced in supporting children through this transition

Building social confidence
Help your child feel comfortable in group settings:

  • Arrange playdates: Spending time with other children helps them practice social skills in a comfortable environment
  • Visit playgrounds: Local parks provide opportunities to play alongside peers and navigate shared spaces
  • Talk excitedly about kindy: Share what they'll experience - new friends, fun activities, outdoor play, and learning adventures
  • Read social stories: Books about friendship, sharing, and kindness reinforce positive social behaviours

Remember: Every child settles at their own pace

It's important to remember that every child is unique, and there's no "right" timeline for settling into kindy. Some children skip through the gates on day one, while others need a few weeks to feel fully comfortable. Both experiences are completely normal.

Your child's teachers understand this and will work with you to support your child's individual needs. They've guided countless children through this transition and know that patience, consistency, and understanding help every child find their confidence in their own time.

Some children may have teary mornings for the first week, others might take a little longer - and that's ok. What matters is that you and your child's educators work together to provide reassurance, maintain routines, and celebrate small steps forward.

The week before kindy starts
As the first day approaches:

  • Talk positively about what's ahead without putting pressure on your child
  • Ensure they're well-rested and maintaining regular mealtimes
  • Pack their bag together
  • Label everything clearly so belongings can be easily identified
  • Prepare yourself emotionally too - your calm, confident energy helps your child feel secure

You've got this!

Starting kindy is a significant step, but you're not taking it alone. Your child's teachers, the C&K community, and other parents are all part of this journey. Trust in your child's ability to adapt, celebrate their courage in trying new things, and remember that with your support and their educators' guidance, they'll flourish in their own perfect time.

The skills you're building now - independence, emotional awareness, social confidence, and resilience - will serve your child not just in kindy, but throughout their entire learning journey. We are so happy to be along for this exciting journey!

Workforce is the key to building child-safe environments: Joint Statement from Not-for-Profit Early Childhood Education and Care Providers to changes to National Law

18th November 2025
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As leaders of some of Australia’s largest not-for-profit early learning providers, we welcome the National Law changes being considered by the Victorian Parliament this week as a positive step forward for parents and the early childhood sector.

We welcome increased government funding to Regulatory Authorities.

However, safeguarding children is not just a regulatory obligation – it is an imperative shared by our values driven organisations. We are committed to high quality early childhood education and care. We know that quality and safety go hand in hand and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to child safety and wellbeing, and our commitment to working with governments across the nation to drive improvements in quality and safety.

This legislative reform is an opportunity to put in place the foundations of an early childhood system that knits together, strengthening child safety in quality early learning. It’s critically important that we get the foundations right – starting with supporting early childhood teachers and educators in our profession.

Children’s safety is so important, we should resist anything which compromises that objective, however well-intentioned. Children are not safer if experienced teachers and educators leave the sector. We are concerned some elements of the bill will make it harder to retain experienced teachers and educators, particularly in crucial leadership roles.

We call on the Victorian Parliament to reconsider the trebling of personal fines on educators and nominated supervisors. Under the bill, ECEC educators, among the lowest paid but most critical workers in our economy, could face fines of up to $34,000, well in excess of what they may face for similar offences if they occurred in a school. Fines must be proportionate to the offence, with heavy fines reserved for the most egregious offenders and for providers who have not created safe environments.

We are calling on the Victorian Parliament to ensure the National Educators’ Register gives providers access to employment history of prospective employees. We have the duty of care to children and families and need the information to make the right choices about our workforce. As high quality, not for profit providers, we are on the frontline, day by day, looking for full information to be able to safeguard children.

It is also clear that more is required to build a system that knits together to create improved child outcomes and end the postcode lottery parents face. We look forward to those broader national conversations to build that joined-up universal national system – from service planning and approvals, to supporting professional development and growth in the experience and knowledge of our workforce, to how funders and regulators work with providers to achieve shared goals.

As purpose driven providers we invest funding and fee income in programs for children, we commit to the following:

  • Listening to Children: We recognise that children are often the first to disclose harm. We train and resource our staff to listen carefully and act on any concerns raised by children in our care.
  • Embedding a Culture of Vigilance: Child safety is at the heart of every decision, policy, and practice in our services. We are committed to fostering environments where vigilance is second nature and where every adult understands their role in protecting children.
  • Strong Governance and Accountability: Our organisations embed robust, transparent governance frameworks that ensure accountability at every level. We invest in and demand rigorous recruitment, induction, and supervision processes, and zero-tolerance of misconduct.
  • Ongoing Professional Development: We make substantial investments in professional learning to ensure our teachers, educators and staff are equipped to recognise, prevent, and respond to signs of grooming and abuse. This includes rigorous and ongoing mandatory child protection training.
  • A Culture of Speaking Up: We are committed to creating psychologically safe workplaces where staff feel empowered and supported to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.
  • Sector-Wide Reform: We support the government in their stewardship role to provide oversight, drive continuous improvement, and ensure that quality and child safety are not compromised.

Families place significant trust in us as providers, and we must uphold it through consistent action, transparency, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Today, we ask governments and legislators to stand shoulder to shoulder with us and the very many experienced and committed early learning professionals who know that investing in our workforce is the surest way to keep children safe.

View this Statement as a PDF

For media inquiries please contact media@candk.asn.au

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The Benefits of a Quality Kindergarten Program at C&K

13th November 2025
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Is your family wondering whether attending kindergarten is the right choice for your child? While not mandatory, attending kindy offers extensive benefits and opportunities for learning and growth. Read on to understand why attending kindy is highly recommended amongst early childhood professionals.

What is kindergarten?

In Queensland, kindergarten is a part-time educational program for children in the year before they start prep at school. It is delivered by a university-qualified Early Childhood Teacher (ECT), and is typically offered for 15 hours a week, over 40 weeks a year. To make kindy accessible to more families, the Queensland Government is funding Free Kindy for eligible children – that’s 600 hours to explore, play, and learn, for FREE.



What are the benefits of kindy? What do children learn?

There are numerous benefits to be gained from attending a government-approved kindergarten program at C&K. Our program develops your child's physical, social, cognitive, language, and emotional abilities, and plays a key role in ensuring a smooth transition to school. This looks like:

  • Learning in a small classroom environment. Groups consist of the same children, the same age as your child, led by the same educators each day. Each group usually has no more than 22 children, allowing for meaningful interactions and strong friendship bonds in an environment that isn’t overwhelmingly busy. Children become familiar with following a daily schedule, transitioning between activities, and understanding classroom expectations.
  • Building independence and confidence. Children are encouraged to develop life skills, preparing them for the challenges they will encounter in a school environment. What might seem like small tasks, such as learning how to open and close their own lunchbox or apply their own sunscreen, are major steps toward building your child’s autonomy.
  • Developing early reading, literacy, and numeracy skills. Learning opportunities are skillfully planned by your child’s ECT to introduce these concepts through play, keeping children engaged, curious, and excited about learning.
  • Strengthening social and emotional skills. Children learn to express their feelings, understand others' emotions, and navigate social situations with guidance from their ECT. Through group activities and collaborative play, they develop empathy, learn to share and take turns, and build emotional resilience.
  • Enhancing physical development and coordination. Both fine and gross motor skills are developed through purposeful play activities, such as drawing, building, climbing, and playing ball games. These activities help children develop the coordination and body awareness they need for tasks like writing, using scissors, and participating in sports.
  • Fostering creativity and imagination. Kindy provides dedicated time and resources for artistic expression, dramatic play, and creative problem-solving. Children explore various materials, engage in open-ended projects, and are encouraged to think imaginatively, which helps them develop conviction in their own ideas and creative abilities.

What if traditional kindy hours don’t work for my family?

Want your child to experience kindy but need more than 15 hours of care a week? Select C&K kindergartens offer an extended hours program. The extended hours program commences from the end of the core kindergarten program, and continues the children's learning into the afternoon until 6pm or later. Holiday programs are also available.

Don’t have a kindergarten with extended hours in your area? C&K childcare centres also offer government-approved kindergarten programs led by an ECT. Most centres are open from 6:30am to 6pm (depending on location) and provide flexible booking options, with wrap-around care before and after the core kindy program.

Ready to enrol?

Find your nearest C&K centre to book a tour, or complete an enrolment form to join our waitlist.

Every child belongs: C&K Deception Bay North kindergartens journey to inclusive learning

11th November 2025
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At C&K Deception Bay North Community Kindergarten, inclusion is more than a value - it’s a way of being.

In recent years, the team has undertaken extensive professional development in neuroscience, attachment theory and inclusion support. Their growing expertise has shaped a kindergarten community that not only welcomes children of all abilities but actively celebrates them.

“We’ve seen an increase in children with diverse learning and developmental needs, including those with trauma backgrounds and neurodiversity,” Co-Director/Teachers Liz and Lisa share. “Rather than seeing this as a challenge, it’s become our passion. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and capable.”

Building safety and trust from day one

The journey begins even before a child’s first day. Families are invited to ‘Stay and Play’ sessions where children can explore, connect and build confidence in their new environment. Educators use this time to get to know each child’s strengths, interests and support needs - the foundation for an individualised Educational Support Plan that guides the team’s approach.

These plans are developed in collaboration with families, therapists and the C&K Central inclusion team, ensuring each child’s learning journey is supported by consistent and responsive strategies.

Understanding behaviour as communication

The team draws on attachment and trauma-informed practices, guided by the principle “Be curious, not furious.” This means viewing behaviour as communication - an opportunity to understand what a child needs rather than a challenge to be managed.

Through careful observation and tools such as behaviour tracking, the educators identify patterns and triggers, adjusting the environment and strategies to help children feel secure and regulated.

A community of belonging

This thoughtful, evidence-based approach has earned C&K Deception Bay North kindy a strong reputation in the community. Families speak of the kindergarten as a safe place where children rediscover confidence, and where educators take the time to understand and celebrate every individual.

Close partnerships with families and professionals have led to successful outcomes for children transitioning into school, with strong foundations of trust, resilience and belonging.

As they prepare to welcome new families for 2026, the team continues to reflect, adapt and grow - ensuring that C&K Deception Bay North remains a place where every child truly belongs.

Vaughan Reed

Submitted by e.dellow on

Joined C&K April 2024

Qualifications
LLB (Hons), CertCoSecEss, CertGov&RiskMgt

Experience
Vaughan Reed is the General Counsel and Company Secretary at C&K and has over 25 years' experience in leadership and corporate roles, and over a decade in legal and compliance roles across the education and aged care sectors. Previously, Vaughan held senior positions at Affinity Education Group and Oak Tree Group advising in large-scale transactions. He began his legal career at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and has a background in property and leasing law, contract and corporate law. With a strong foundation in corporate governance and strategic legal advisory, Vaughan brings a pragmatic and collaborative approach to supporting organisational integrity and growth.

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