3 and 4 year old programs
In 2025 Ripponlea Kinder will continue to offer an expanded program, offering 15 hours of funded kinder for all three and four year olds in mixed age groups, through a combination of long-day and half-day sessional kinder programs* (see bottom).
Key Elements
Fifteen hours of kinder for four groups of approximately 22 three and four-year-old children across the week.
Mixed age programming: similar numbers of three and four year olds in each group.
Families select either 2 consecutive long days of kinder (red or yellow groups) or two half and one long day including one session of Bush kinder at Ripponlea Estate (green/blue groups).
Rotational programming: Children in yellow, red and green groups mix with a different sub-group each session, providing opportunities to foster different group dynamics and experience a range of peer relationships at kinder.
Red group offers 15 hours each week over two consecutive days for a group of 22 children.
Blue, red and green groups are sub-groups of 11-12 children who attend all the same sessions of kinder each week building close peer relationships.
Green group attends a weekly session of Bush kinder in the grounds of Ripponlea Estate.
Educational Benefits and evidence for the new model
Ripponlea Kinder staff are excited about this new model and believe that the new program gives the best opportunity for all three- and four- year old children to thrive with 2 years of 15 hours of funded kinder before they start school.
International evidence suggests that 15 hours per week with a qualified teacher, in a high quality early childhood education program can contribute to significant, lasting impact on children's development and learning. At Ripponlea Kindergarten we are very proud of our "Exceeding" rating for Education and Care measured by an independent body against the National Quality Framework. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework
Offering 15 hours of kinder over 2 years gives children the chance to support and develop their social skills; helps them make new friends and learn to play with other children. They develop increased self-awareness and respect for others, and build emotional awareness that will help them understand and process their feelings.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills are also well established in early learning environments and are foundation blocks for formal learning at school. The teachers at Ripponlea Kindergarten firmly believe these skills are building blocks for life-long learning.
*Please note that the above timetable is indicative and subject to change, pending finalisation of funding and policy information about the roll out of funded kinder from the Department of Education and Training.