At our centre, your child will benefit from our enhanced learning program in Kindergarten, combined with our play-based learning approach. Our program supports your child’s development, emotional wellbeing, and in turn, school readiness

If your child turns 4 years old by June 30, they can attend Kindergarten at our centre. Our program offers the convenience of extended hours year-round, making it easy for families to access quality early education.

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:

• 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.

“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.

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.

Hi, my name is Samantha and I am the Centre Manager here at Great Beginnings Southern River. I believe early education provides children with a strong foundation for life.

I have been working in early childhood education and care since 2006 and have worked across a range of leadership roles. After three years as an Assistant Centre Manager and five years as a Centre Manager at a sister centre, I transferred to Great Beginnings Southern River in 2026. With almost 20 years of experience in early learning, I am passionate about making a real and lasting impact. I love watching children grow, build confidence, and thrive, while also leading and supporting my team to deliver high-quality education and care. Creating a safe, happy, and supportive environment for children, families, and educators is at the heart of everything I do.

I believe early education provides children with a strong foundation for life. Through play-based learning, children develop important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and building friendships, while learning to express their feelings, manage emotions, and build confidence. These early experiences shape children’s learning and well-being well beyond the early years. I am proud to lead a multicultural, passionate, and long-standing team at Great Beginnings Southern River. Our educators are dedicated, kind, and motivated, and work together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for every child and family.

Supporting families is central to my role. I focus on making families feel they belong from day one through open and clear communication, professionalism, warmth, and respect. I work closely with families to support them through important transitions and ensure they feel confident, supported, and connected to their child’s early learning journey with us.