Our centre offers the VIC Government-approved ‘Best Start, Best Life’ Kindergarten Program.

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.

“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 Daksha, and I am the Centre Manager here at Creative Garden Berwick. I believe in the power of play-based learning, as it fosters creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and social skills.

I began my career in early learning in 2017, starting as a student eager to make a difference in young children’s lives. What initially inspired me to pursue this career was witnessing the incredible impact that early childhood education has on a child’s development. Seeing children flourish in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment is the most rewarding aspect of my work.

Throughout my career, I have learned that every child is unique, with different strengths, interests, and learning styles. This understanding has shaped my approach to education, ensuring that each child receives personalised support to help them grow and thrive. I believe in the power of play-based learning, as it fosters creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and social skills. My focus is on creating an inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.

I often explain to families that enrolling their child in a dedicated early childhood education and care centre provides unique advantages that complement home learning. In our centre, children engage in structured, play-based activities designed to enhance their cognitive, language, social, and problem-solving skills. They benefit from interacting with peers, developing communication and collaboration skills that are essential for school readiness and future success. While learning at home is valuable, our centre offers a rich and diverse environment with qualified educators who tailor learning experiences to each child’s needs. We ensure that every child builds the confidence and resilience needed to navigate the next stages of their educational journey.

At Creative Garden Berwick, we are fortunate to have a team of 20 dedicated and passionate professionals with Certificate III, Diploma, and Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) qualifications. Our multicultural team brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and diverse perspectives, all working together to create a warm, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment for the children in our care.

As a Centre Manager, I place great emphasis on fostering strong relationships with our families. Open communication, mutual respect, and understanding are key to ensuring a positive experience for both parents and children. I am always available to listen, support, and provide guidance to families, helping them navigate the early childhood education journey with confidence. We also offer family engagement initiatives, regular updates, and opportunities for parents to participate in their child’s learning experience. By working together, we can create a supportive and enriching environment where children thrive both at home and in the centre.

I look forward to welcoming you and your child to Creative Garden Berwick early learning centre.