Our centre offers the QLD Government-approved ‘Free Kindy’ Program.

At Great Beginnings, your child will benefit from the QLD ‘Free Kindy’ Government-approved program as part of our enhanced learning program. Our Kindergarten program will support your child’s learning, development, and well-being for now, at school and beyond. We tailor our Kindergarten program across:

• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Emotional and Social Development
• Self regulation
• Healthy minds and bodies
  

The added benefits of our Kindergarten program include:

• QLD ‘Free Kindy’ Government-approved program
• Extended opening hours
• Open all year round (excl public holidays)
• Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
• Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation

“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, I'm Venita, the Centre Manager at Great Beginnings Kelso. My journey in early education began when I completed my teaching qualifications in 2002 and worked as a teacher with prep-age groups. It was during those early experiences that I developed a strong passion for ensuring children in their first five years are set up for lifelong learning. This passion led me to the early childhood education industry in 2005, where I began my career as an Early Childhood Teacher . In 2018, I transitioned into management to further support children, families, and educators. I’ve been with G8 Education since 2015, and joined Great Beginnings Kelso in November 2024, after previously working at Community Kids Heatley.

I’ve always believed that every child has the right to an early learning education that sets them up for success and fosters a lifelong love of learning. My early experiences working with children of differing abilities opened my eyes to the incredible potential in every child, regardless of their circumstances. Seeing the delight on a child’s face when they overcome a challenge or achieve a milestone is what inspires me every day.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that parents are a child’s first and most important educators. I believe that early childhood education offers endless opportunities for growth, complementing what children learn at home. It’s a privilege to work alongside families to create unique learning experiences that nurture a love of learning. Play-based learning is at the heart of my teaching philosophy because it allows children to lead their own learning journey. I focus on creating engaging and inclusive environments that cater to each child’s interests and individual learning styles. By observing children at play and having meaningful conversations with them, I can guide and build upon their learning and development in ways that are both fun and impactful.

At Great Beginnings Kelso, I’m fortunate to work with a team of dedicated and passionate educators who are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment for every child. Together, we prioritise not only the wellbeing and learning of the children but also building strong relationships with their families. From the initial tour to the first day and beyond, we’re here to support families every step of the way. Whether it’s reassuring parents during their child’s transition into care, explaining our Xplor app, or simply offering a coffee and a kind word, we aim to create a sense of belonging for everyone. By working closely with families, we ensure a smooth transition through the stages of early learning, building strong relationships and inclusive programs that reflect the child’s experiences at home.

I look forward to welcoming your family to join us at Great Beginnings Kelso early education centre.