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Providing high standards of early childhood education and care together.
Find out more about Child Safety at C&K
We know that every family looks a little different. Some are balancing full-time work, shift rosters, long commutes, or caring for other family members - and having extra flexibility in your day can make a world of difference. That's why, at selected C&K kindergartens across Queensland, we offer extended hours and holiday programs designed with real families in mind.
Here's everything you need to know.
The Best of Both Worlds
Community kindergarten offers something truly special: a small, close-knit group of children at a similar stage of life, learning and growing together in the year before school. It's a rich, play-based program led by a university-qualified early childhood teacher, where play is the vehicle for learning. Through activities like nature play, creative arts, and collaborative projects, children build foundational skills in language, literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development, all while growing in confidence and curiosity. The relationships that children build with their peers and educators in that environment are really valued by families.
For families who also need care beyond standard kindy hours, our Kindergarten with Extended Hours brings the two together. You don't have to choose between the community kindy experience and the flexibility of longer hours. At selected C&K centres, you can have both.
What is the Extended Hours Program?
Our kindergarten program is led by a university-qualified early childhood teacher, supported by assistant educators. At most of our extended hours centres, the kindy day wraps up at 2:00pm or 2:15pm - and for families who need a little more time, that's where our extended hours program comes in.
The extended hours program continues your child's learning right through to 6:00pm or 6:15pm, depending on the centre. This afternoon program is run by a diploma-qualified educator with the support of an assistant educator, so you can be confident your little one is in capable, caring hands for the whole day.
One thing we're particularly proud of is the thoughtful handover between our two teams. There's a half-hour overlap between the kindergarten program and the extended hours program each day, giving educators the chance to share what your child has been up to - the highlights, the discoveries, and the plans for the afternoon. It's a seamless transition that keeps your child's day connected and consistent.
School holidays? We've got you covered.
The Queensland school holidays are a wonderful time for families - and for those who need care during those periods, we've got you sorted. At C&K Kindergartens with Extended Hours, we run a full-day holiday program throughout the Queensland school holidays (taking a break for 2 weeks over the Christmas/New Year period), so your child gets to stay in a familiar, nurturing environment they know and love, with a fun and engaging program in a place they feel comfortable and confident.
Planning ahead is easy, too. Families receive a calendar at the start of the year, and if you need an occasional extra day outside your usual arrangement, casual places (subject to availability) can be booked through the ChildcareNow app.
The benefits for your family
We designed the extended hours program to genuinely work around the rhythms of modern family life. Here are some of the ways it can make a difference for you:
What about fees and subsidies?
We know cost is an important consideration for families, so here's a quick overview of how fees and subsidies work for our extended hours program.
C&K Kindergartens with Extended Hours have been approved for the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The amount of CCS you're eligible for depends on your family's individual circumstances. You can find out more by contacting Services Australia.
Queensland's Free Kindy funding is also available for eligible-age children. Free Kindy provides 15 hours of free kindergarten per week across the four school terms (up to 600 hours per calendar year). Please note that the Free Kindy subsidy applies to the kindergarten program itself, not the extended hours sessions or holiday program. However, eligible families can still access CCS for those additional hours.
For specific fee details, we recommend visiting your local centre's webpage, where you'll find up-to-date information tailored to that centre. You can also contact our Service Support team.
Find a C&K Kindergarten with Extended Hours near you
We have a growing number of kindergartens with extended hours across Queensland - from Redcliffe and Ascot to Indooroopilly, West End, Carindale, Port Douglas, Townsville, and more. Each centre has its own hours and holiday program details, so it's worth checking the individual centre pages to find the right fit for your family.
Learn more and view a list of C&K Kindergartens with Extended Hours here.
At C&K, we believe every child deserves quality early learning and care - and every family deserves the flexibility to make it happen. We're here to support you, whatever your day looks like.
The transition to kindergarten can feel overwhelming when your child has additional needs. Here's how one family navigated it, and what they want other families to know.
When we found out our son had been offered a place at our local C&K kindy, our excitement was quickly followed by a familiar knot of uncertainty. He's a wonderful, curious, energetic child - and he also has a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD. Transitions are genuinely hard for him. A brand-new environment, new faces, new routines, sensory input from every direction. We knew we needed to be thoughtful about how we prepared him and ourselves.
What followed was one of the most positive experiences we've had navigating the system, and we want to share it in the hope it helps other families heading into this season.
Be upfront on the enrolment form
When we received the enrolment paperwork, we made sure to include our son's diagnoses clearly. We know this can feel vulnerable - there's a worry that flagging additional needs might somehow work against your child. In our experience with C&K, the opposite is true.
Disclosing a diagnosis, suspected diagnosis, or developmental delay on enrolment isn't a red flag. It gives educators the time and information they need to put the right support in place before your child even walks through the door.
Kindies use this information to plan inclusion support, apply for resourcing, and make practical accommodations. The earlier they know, the more they can do.
Meet with the teaching team - before kindy starts
A few months before kindy began, our son’s teaching team reached out to us. An unexpected, but much-appreciated surprise. We arranged two separate conversations: one where my husband and I met with the educators to discuss our son's specific needs, communication style, sensory sensitivities, and what helps him feel safe, and a separate visit where our son came to explore the space without any other children present.
That second visit was invaluable. He got to be curious at his own pace. He saw where things lived, found a corner he liked, and met his teachers without the overwhelm of a full classroom. It made him feel like it was already a little bit his.
If your kindy doesn't offer this automatically, ask. Most educators are glad to arrange a quiet visit; they just may not know it would help until you tell them.
Use the orientation sessions intentionally
There were two group play dates before kindy officially began, giving our son the chance to visit with his future classmates. For a child who struggles with new environments and unfamiliar people, this repetition was everything. By the time kindy started, the space wasn't new anymore. Some of the faces weren't either.
We also did small things at home: driving past the kindy building when we were in the area, talking about it positively and often, keeping the tone light and excited rather than anxious.
Education Support Plans are a real thing - and they matter
Working with the teaching team, an Education Support Plan was developed for our son. This isn't just paperwork - it's a living document that outlines specific strategies, accommodations, and goals, and it opened the door to additional resourcing. In practical terms, this meant giving our son more access to support when he needed it.
The team also made specific, thoughtful accommodations based on who our son is. He has sensory sensitivities - noise, bright lights, busy spaces can quickly tip him into overwhelm. His primary regulation strategy is movement and pressure, what's sometimes called "crashing." His teachers set up a small pop-up tent as a quiet retreat space, just for him. They sourced a crash mat. They built movement breaks into the daily routine.
You know your child better than anyone. Share that knowledge generously with the team - the more specific you can be, the more targeted their support can be.
“Children don’t need to change who they are to belong at kindergarten. When families and educators work in partnership, every child is supported to take the big steps into learning, belonging and thriving.” - Claire Allsop, C&K Principal Advisor - Inclusion
Keep the communication going
The Education Support Plan isn't a set-and-forget document. We review it regularly with the teaching team, checking in on what's working, what's shifted, and what might need adjusting. The team keeps us in the loop, and we try to do the same. It feels like a genuine partnership. We trust the teaching team. They are experts in what they do, and sharing our knowledge with them has allowed them to create a safe and engaging environment for our son.
Our son loves kindy. He asks to go on the days he doesn't have it. He comes home having made things and learned things and burned off energy in the best possible way. While he doesn't often tell us much about his day (a very familiar experience for many families), we can see it in him. The joy is obvious.
None of that happened by accident. It happened because a team of educators took the time to truly know him - and because we felt safe enough to let them.
If your family is approaching this transition, we hope this gives you something useful to hold onto. It doesn't always feel simple, but it can feel supported. You don't have to figure it out alone. Reach out to your teaching team or centre director – they’re happy to help.
Harmony Week is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity, respect, and belonging. Harmony Week provides a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about different cultures, traditions, and communities in a fun and engaging way.
Across our centres, we celebrate Harmony Week by sharing stories from around the world, exploring music and food from different cultures, and encouraging children to talk about their family backgrounds. These activities help children understand that everyone is unique and that our differences make our communities stronger.
At C&K, we believe every child and family should feel welcome, valued, and supported regardless of their cultural background, language, or traditions. Everyone belongs at C&K.
By celebrating diversity in our early learning environments, we help children build empathy, curiosity, and a sense of connection with others from a young age.
Harmony Week reinforces our commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces where every child can feel proud of who they are.
Throughout the years, our centres have embraced Harmony Week in many meaningful ways. Children have participated in multicultural dress-up, created artwork inspired by different countries, and enjoyed storytelling sessions featuring books from diverse cultures.
These experiences not only make Harmony Week fun and memorable but also support children’s understanding of diversity, respect, and inclusion — values that will stay with them for life.
To continue the discussion of respect, kindness, and inclusion with your children at home, check out these simple art activities provided by the Australian Government > https://gov.pulse.ly/ltnffheoxx
Every early childhood service is made up of families with different cultures, languages and identities. These differences are important and should be seen, heard and celebrated. Choosing the right early learning place for your child is an important decision.
At C&K kindergartens and childcare centres, we want every child and family to feel welcome, respected, and valued. No matter what language you speak at home — English, Mandarin, Korean, Samoan, Spanish or any other language — your culture, traditions, and values matter. They are an important part of who your child is, and we respect this every day.
Speaking more than one language is a strength. At C&K, we encourage families to keep using their home language at home. We also create opportunities for children to hear and connect with their home language at our centres. We have many Culturally and Linguistically Diverse staff, and some may even speak the same language as you and your child. At the same time, we support children to learn and develop English through play and everyday experiences.
Keeping home languages and cultural connections strong helps children feel confident and proud of who they are. Research shows that supporting a child’s first language helps their learning, identity and future language development.
We understand that choosing childcare can feel difficult, especially if the education system is different from your home country. Our centres aim to be culturally safe places where all families feel they belong. We want your child to learn and grow in an environment that supports their wellbeing and celebrates who they are.
Read our Parents Guide to Finding the Ideal Early Learning Centre to learn more about the different early childhood services that C&K offers.
Your family’s culture is valued here
When you choose C&K, you become part of a community where your voice matters. We see parents and families as children’s first teachers. We value your knowledge, experiences, and ideas.
Families are invited to be involved in decisions about their child’s care and learning. Our educators create learning spaces and daily experiences that reflect and celebrate each family’s culture, traditions, and values. We want children to see themselves, their families, and their stories in meaningful ways.
At C&K, we listen, learn and work alongside families so every child and every family feels truly welcome.
How C&K can support your family
Our teams can help with enrolment forms and communication with family members. We can also work with interpreters, translators, or bicultural support workers, especially during your first days at the centre.
Benefits of learning through play at C&K
Children benefit from:
Starting kindy at the beginning of Term 1 helps children settle and learn. With Free Kindy, eligible children can receive 15 hours per week at no cost. Places are limited, so find your local C&K and enrol early.
Families are welcome to visit, call, or speak with a centre team member directly to ask questions and learn more. We’re here to help, every step of the way.
Packing a lunchbox for your little one as they start kindergarten can feel like a puzzle - balancing nutrition, appeal, and what will actually get eaten! You want meals that fuel their busy days of learning and play, but also bring a smile to their face when they open their lunchbox. The good news? You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Our experienced team of C&K Team of Chefs have been creating delicious, nutritious meals that children genuinely enjoy for years, and they understand exactly what works in a busy kindy environment.
Through our C&K Lunchbox Bites series, we've gathered some of our chefs' most popular and practical recipes into one place to help make your lunchbox planning easier. These tried-and-tested recipes have won over even the pickiest eaters in our centres. Whether you're looking for allergen-free options, freezer-friendly ideas, or creative ways to sneak in extra nutrients, you'll find inspiration to keep those lunchboxes exciting all term long.
Check out our collection of C&K Lunchbox Bites recipes here.
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
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Behind the scenes, your child's teachers are:
"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.
While most children settle within a few weeks, please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.
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 skillsPracticing everyday tasks helps children feel capable and confident. In the months before kindy starts, try:
Nurturing social and emotional skillsThese skills form the foundation for positive relationships and emotional wellbeing:
Reducing separation anxietySaying goodbye can be difficult, but these strategies can help ease the transition:
Building social confidenceHelp your child feel comfortable in group settings:
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 startsAs the first day approaches:
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!
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:
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.
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.
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