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Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

35 Bristol Street, Essendon, VIC, 3041 view map
Verified
5.0
(03) 9116 9022

Care Type:

Long Day Care, Pre-school

Hours:

6.30am to 6.30pm

Vacancies

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Essendon Fields Kinder Haven.

Address:

35 Bristol Street, Essendon, VIC, 3041

5.0

Rating Score

Read our 42 Reviews

Both my daughters attend Kinder Haven Essendon Fields — one in the nursery and the other in the toddler room — and we’ve had such a wonderful experience over the years. The educators are truly caring, supportive, and dedicated. They’ve built such strong bonds of trust with both my girls, and it’s clear how much effort they put into helping each child feel safe, happy, and confident. As parents, we’ve always felt supported and listened to, and the communication from the team has been fantastic. It’s been amazing watching both girls grow, learn, and develop surrounded by such a nurturing environment. We’re so grateful for them. Highly recommend! 💕

- Venessa Basic

About Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

We are conveniently located for families in or commuting through Essendon, Airport West, Essendon, Gladstone Park, Strathmore, Niddrie and Tullamarine. Many of our Children go on to attend local schools such as St Christopher's Primary School, supporting a smooth transition to school.

We offer nurturing care and quality early education for children from 6 weeks to 6 years, with flexible hours (9, 10, 11, and 12-hour sessions) to suit busy families.

Our Learning Environments

Our children benefit from familiar faces as they grow, creating a sense of continuity:

  • Nursery (0-2 years): A safe, nurturing environment for babies to explore with tailored sensory and social experiences.
  • Toddler (2-3 years): Play-based learning encourages curiosity, confidence, and social skills.
  • Kindergarten (3-6 years): A stimulating learning environment that prepares our children for school through our Enhanced Learning Program.

We’re proud to have qualified teachers and educators, supported by a team of national education experts, ensuring the highest quality childcare and early education.

Innovative Early Learning Programs

Our teachers deliver the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF or the national curriculum) through play-based learning that covers language, literacy, numeracy, STEM, social, and emotional development. Our program also includes:

  • Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR), an evidence-based program developed by Queensland University of Technology to support children’s executive function and self-regulation.
  • Environmental and social sustainability learning experiences.
  • Personalised learning plans for each child.
  • Local school connections.

We focus on strong family partnerships through regular learning and development conversations with your child’s lead educator, learning showcases, and in-centre family events. Our Xplor app provides real-time updates and learning summaries daily to keep you informed on your child’s journey.

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Services Provided by Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

State Government Approved Programs

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Get To Know Us

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Our centre offers the Victorian Government-approved ‘Kinder: Best Start, Best Life’ program for 3–4-year-olds, providing up to 15 hours per week of funded Kindergarten. This program supports children’s learning, development, and well-being, setting them up for future success.

Our Enhanced Learning Program for Kindergarten children focuses on:

  • Numeracy & Literacy: Developing key skills for lifelong learning.
  • Self-Regulation: Fostering emotional control and resilience.
  • Social & Emotional Development: Supporting independence and building healthy relationships.
  • Creativity & Problem-Solving: Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

With extended hours and a year-round program (excluding public holidays), our Kindergarten program is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers committed to supporting your child’s individual development.

Additional Benefits Include:

  • Government subsidy: Further reduces out-of-pocket Kinder fees in addition to your eligible Childcare Subsidy (CCS).
  • Personalised Learning Plans: Tailored to your child’s unique needs.
  • Rhythm and Resilience Program: Music and movement to improve emotional regulation.
  • School Readiness: Preparing your child for a smooth transition to school.

We also engage with local schools and provide transition statements, ensuring your child feels confident and prepared for the next steps in their education journey. Stay connected with your child’s progress via our Xplor platform, which offers regular updates on their learning and development.

About the Curriculum

About the Curriculum

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, director and the actor in their own play” - Magda Gerber

Nursery Space: 6 weeks – 2 years

Learning starts from before birth, and our Educators have created a welcoming and nurturing nursery environment where each baby feels safe to explore and discover new things - through their senses, their communication and cues (body language, facial expression and sounds) and through experimentation. On any given day you can see the nursery children engaging in all types of play including sensory play, music time, story time and more. Every day provides a brand new, exciting adventure for our babies to support their development, learning and wellbeing.

Toddler Space: 2 - 3 years

Our teachers and educators encourage the children to learn through play to help enhance their sensory-motor development. This happens through carefully planned music, dance, games, role playing and reading experiences.

On any given day the Toddlers can be seen developing their numeracy by building a tower, sorting objects, pointing and identifying shapes and patterns and participating in counting songs and games.

Children in our toddler space are encouraged to participate in group play. Group play is important as it helps our toddlers develop important social skills such as, turn-taking, developing self-confidence and emotional self-regulation. Our skilled team helps children through talking, planning and role modelling.

Kindergarten Space: 3 – 6 years

Kindergarten is a unique time for learning with peers and developing skills for later learning including confidence and curiosity, important skills for starting school. Our play-based program has school readiness at its core, encouraging active engagement in learning and supporting a range of positive developmental outcomes including resilience, independence, critical thinking and creativity.

The oral language supports literacy learning and a child’s oral language ability is the best predictor for later success in learning to read and write. Hearing the sounds within a language is the first critical step for all literacy learning. Our team supports our Kindergarten children's literacy development by engaging in rich discussions, reading, storytelling, dramatic play and experimentation all of which introduce new vocabulary as part of everyday conversations.

Throughout the Kindergarten year, children use their language to share ideas, ask questions, express themselves, and connect with peers and adults in social settings.

Social-emotional skills, including the ability to self-regulate emotions, are supported through group learning experiences. Our team supports each child’s social and emotional development by labelling and talking about emotions and supporting appropriate responses as together, they engage in new and challenging situations. Our goal in the kindergarten year is to prepare children and families for a smooth transition to primary school.

Health and Nutrition

Health and Nutrition

Our centre chef prepares and cooks nutritious meals daily, catering to the unique dietary requirements of every child. We believe that by encouraging active participation (such as growing their own fruit and vegetables, preparing, and finally cooking!) children learn to appreciate and understand the importance of healthy eating across a wide variety of food.

Our centre offers seasonal whole food-based menus – created to delight the fussiest eaters.

Meet the team

Meet the team

I started my career in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2004 and I hold an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services.

I believe working in early learning makes me feel proud to work in a sector that gives back so much to its community.  As an educator and centre manager you are able to work in an environment where play is a part of the learning and the observing of one’s development is so prevalent in the day to day routine of the centre.

Our centre has a beautiful family feel as you enter the building, with the pleasant cooking smells and the laughter from educators and the sounds of children engaging and mixing with the peers brings a journey of life and excitement. We are situated in a corporate business zone where parents are welcomed to come for lunch and visit their children.

I love dancing to Tik Tok with my children and always treating people the way they would like to be treated.

In Person Tour

Want to see the centre first hand? Book a tour with Essendon Fields Kinder Haven below.

Fees & Vacancies

Infant

0-1 years

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Toddler

1-2 years

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Pre-Kindy

2-3 years

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Kindy

3-5 years

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Essendon Fields Kinder Haven.

Essendon Fields Kinder Haven Reviews (42)

5.0

Rating Score

Venessa Basic image

Venessa Basic

Oct, 2025

Both my daughters attend Kinder Haven Essendon Fields — one in the nursery and the other in the toddler room — and we’ve had such a wonderful experience over the years. The educators are truly caring, supportive, and dedicated. They’ve built such strong bonds of trust with both my girls, and it’s clear how much effort they put into helping each child feel safe, happy, and confident. As parents, we’ve always felt supported and listened to, and the communication from the team has been fantastic. It’s been amazing watching both girls grow, learn, and develop surrounded by such a nurturing environment. We’re so grateful for them. Highly recommend! 💕

Response from the owner 23 Oct 2025

Hi Vanessa, What a wonderful 5-star review! We're so happy that our dedicated team has made such a positive impact on your experience at our centre! It's been a joy watching your daughters grow with us over the years and we're delighted see them thrive in their confidence, skills and development. Our team strives to create a nurturing and supportive space for every child to learn and grow, and it's fantastic to hear that your daughters have formed strong relationships with the team. Your kind words and confidence in the team encourage us to continue offering the best for our children. Warm regards, The Kinder Haven Team

Paul M image

Paul M

Oct, 2025

Amazing childcare centre! The team is incredibly accommodating, and my two children absolutely love their educators. They always have so much fun and come home happy every day!

Response from the owner 23 Oct 2025

Dear Paul, Thank you for the wonderful 5-star review! We’re delighted that your children enjoy attending our centre! We take pride in creating a nurturing, supportive and fun environment for our children to grow and learn! Your feedback helps us maintain the high standards we strive for every day. Warm wishes, The Kinder Haven Team

Siok Chuang Chang image

Siok Chuang Chang

Jan, 2025

We left Kinder Haven just over a month now due to relocation to another suburb. Both Amelia and parents still miss Kinder Haven terribly. Amelia hasnt stopped asking to go back because she misses all her friends and friendly educators there. Kinder Haven is one of a kind, truly special place for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Credits to all the educators, from Ramin and Sheree when Amelia was in the baby room, to Souad and Indrani, who Amelia was so fond of since she was a baby. Caitlyn , Theresa and Maria D always made dropping off easy. Jacqui is such an amazing educator who always go above and beyond for all her kids (she once stuck flies stickers all over the room to help Amelia to get over her flies phobia). Daniella is always helpful and you can find her from kitchen to all the rooms lending extra pair of hands. Last but not least, Sarah holds a very special place in Amelia’s heart and she still talks about her from time to time. Thank you all for the amazing 2 years, we will and still miss you all dearly.

How Essendon Fields Kinder Haven Compares

with Essendon, 3041

Reviews

Above average

Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

5/5

Suburb Average

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4.6/5

View Reviews

Price

Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

Contact Centre

Suburb Average

$169

NQS

The National Quality Standard is an industry benchmark defined by the government.

Essendon Fields Kinder Haven

Meeting

Suburb Average

Meeting

NQS Rating Breakdown

Overall

Meeting

nqs logo
Educational Program and Practice Meeting
Children's Health and Safety Meeting
Physical environment Meeting
Staffing Arrangements Meeting
Relationships with children Meeting
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities Meeting
Governance and leadership Meeting

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Essendon Fields Kinder Haven