Preschool & Kindergarten Program (3-5 years)
At Only About Children (OAC), our Preschool & Kindergarten Program supports children aged 3 to 5 years through a two-year learning journey designed to build confidence, independence, and school readiness. Guided by degree-qualified educators who take the time to genuinely know each child, the program combines OAC’s Grow Curriculum with support from an in-house health team, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and dietitians. Families can access government-funded kindergarten within the flexibility of long day care, giving children the benefits of a structured preschool program while providing the extended hours many families need.
Download our Only About Children Preschool Room Guide and our Preschool Early Learning Journey roadmap to learn more about our Preschool and Kinder Program.
Preschool & Kindergarten at a Glance
Our Preschool & Kindergarten Program is for children aged 3 years to 5 years and:
- Is led by degree-qualified early educators in every preschool room
- Includes school readiness assessments delivered by OAC’s in-house Health Team
- Delivers OAC’s Grow Curriculum, covering literacy and language, STEM, sustainability, music, dramatic play, art, physical activity and nutrition
- Incorporates both structured and unstructured play-based learning, tailored to each child’s interests and stage of development
- Empowers every child to reach their full potential by providing an individual Learning and Development plan, supported by regular family check-ins
- Runs a structured learning focus from 9am to 3pm to build familiarity with school-day routines, within the flexibility of longer day care hours
- Includes Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including a complimentary Vision Screening
- Is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and meets the National Quality Standard (NQS)
- Holds the Victorian Government Kinder Tick and the Queensland Government Kindy Tick
- Eligible for VIC Free Kinder Funding, NSW Start Strong Preschool Funding, and QLD Kindy Funding
Discover More About Our School Readiness Program By Booking A Tour Of Your Local Campus
Discover More About Our School Readiness Program By Booking A Tour Of Your Local Campus
What Does OAC’s 2-Year Preschool & Kindergarten Curriculum Cover?
Developed specifically by OAC, our 2-year School Readiness program built into our Grow Curriculum recognises that every child learns differently and supports their development across cognitive, social, emotional and physical domains. Through a balance of purposeful teaching and play-based learning, children build confidence, independence, and the skills needed for a successful transition to school.
Our 2-Year Preschool & Kindergarten Curriculum
Left Brain Logic
Literacy & Language
Children build early communication, vocabulary and literacy skills through play. Activities can include scavenger hunts that use letters or numbers, with children following clues to find and identify them.
Exploration & STEM
Children explore early science, technology, engineering and maths concepts through hands-on problem-solving. Activities can include counting, recognising numbers, using microscopes, and solving simple problems with images or flash cards.
Sustainability
Children explore sustainability through hands-on experiences that encourage care for the environment. STEM, literacy and sustainability concepts are brought together through play and guided small-group learning.
Right Brain Logic
Music
At OAC, children explore rhythm, sound and movement through songs, instruments and music-based activities that support creativity, coordination, listening skills and confidence.
Dramatic Play
Dramatic play gives children opportunities to use their imagination and practice communicating with others. Through pretend play and shared scenarios, they can build language and collaboration skills.
Art
Art experiences encourage children to experiment with different materials, techniques and ideas through activities such as drawing, painting and collage, supporting creativity, fine motor skills and self-expression.
Health & Wellbeing
Physical Activity
Active play helps build strength, coordination and confidence through outdoor games, climbing, dancing and other movement-based experiences. These activities also support gross motor development and positive attitudes towards movement.
Nutrition
Healthy food and positive eating habits are supported through everyday routines, with guidance from OAC’s in-house dietitians and seasonal menus. Mealtimes are opportunities to develop a positive relationship with food.
Social Development
Trust, Respect & Relationships
Positive relationships with educators and peers help build skills such as communication, cooperation, turn-taking and understanding others. Shared experiences also support a sense of belonging and confidence in social settings.
Resilience and Mindfulness
Children learn to recognise and manage emotions, build confidence and develop strategies for handling challenges, change and new experiences. Mindfulness activities can also support calm, focus and self-regulation.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like for Preschool & Kindergarteners?
We know families want the flexibility of long day care hours while also ensuring their child is prepared for school. OAC’s Preschool & Kindergarten Program combines both, delivering structured learning within a flexible long day care environment. See more information on what a Typical day looks like in Preschool/Kindergarten.
| Time | What Happens |
| 7am – 9am | Children arrive, enjoy breakfast and settle into the day through free play and familiar routines. This gives them time to connect with educators and friends before the structured learning day begins. |
| 9am – 3pm | Children take part in OAC’s structured learning program, including Grow Curriculum activities, small-group learning, literacy and STEM experiences, creative activities, outdoor play and intentional teaching. This dedicated learning period also helps build familiarity with school-day routines. |
| 3pm – 6pm | After afternoon tea, children continue learning through play, social interaction and self-directed activities, with opportunities to build confidence, independence and friendships. |
How Does Play-Based Learning Prepare Children for School?
Play-based learning is at the heart of OAC’s Preschool & Kindergarten Program. At this important stage of development, children learn best when they are actively engaged in meaningful, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and build confidence. Through a balance of intentional teaching and child-led exploration, play becomes a powerful tool for developing the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed for a successful transition to school.
Our play-based learning experiences support school readiness through:
- STEM experiences that encourage children to ask questions, investigate ideas, solve problems, and develop early scientific and mathematical thinking.
- Role play and dramatic play that strengthens communication, language, development, teamwork, negotiation skills, and emotional regulation.
- Construction, engineering and design challenges that foster creativity, persistence, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and early numeracy concepts.
- Outdoor learning and nature-based exploration that support physical wellbeing, resilience, risk assessment, environmental awareness, and confidence.
By embedding learning within engaging and meaningful play experiences, we help children develop the confidence, independence, social skills, and foundational literacy and numeracy capabilities needed to thrive in their first year of school and beyond.
How Do Children Learn at OAC?
Children at OAC learn in small groups, giving educators the opportunity to understand each child’s interests, strengths, and stage of development. This helps create learning experiences that feel engaging, supportive, and relevant to every child.
Our educators use intentional teaching strategies such as open questioning, shared thinking, problem-solving, and demonstration to extend learning and encourage curiosity. Small-group settings also help children build confidence, develop friendships, and feel comfortable contributing their ideas.
How Does OAC Work with Families & Communities?
At OAC, we believe families and communities are a child’s most influential teachers. Building strong relationships helps us create a learning environment where every child feels understood and supported.
We work closely with families to share insights, celebrate progress, and understand each child’s interests, strengths, and individual needs. Every child has an Individual Learning and Development Plan, backed by regular family check-ins that help us build a deeper understanding of each child as they grow and develop.
Why Choose OAC for Preschool & Kindergarten?
Every child deserves to feel known, supported and confident as they prepare for school. That’s why OAC combines high-quality early education with health, wellbeing and family support in a way that goes beyond traditional childcare.
An integrated in-house health team
Many early learning providers refer families to external services. At OAC, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and dietitians work alongside educators, so we can better understand and support each child’s development.
The Grow Curriculum
Developed specifically by OAC, the Grow Curriculum is a structured two-year program designed to support children’s cognitive, creative, physical, social, emotional, and health development.
Continuity of care
Children who progress through OAC’s nursery, toddler, and preschool rooms benefit from familiar educators, established routines, and trusted relationships. This continuity helps children feel secure and confident as they prepare for school.
Degree-qualified early childhood educators
Every OAC preschool room is led by a degree-qualified early childhood teacher with specialist knowledge in early learning and development. Their expertise helps create engaging learning experiences that support children’s growth, confidence, and readiness for school.
Government-funded kindergarten within long day care
Families can access VIC Free Kinder, NSW Start Strong, and QLD Kindy funding through OAC while still benefiting from the flexibility of long day care hours. This allows children to receive a high-quality kindergarten program without the limitations of a sessional schedule.
Individual support for every child
Every child receives an Individual Learning and Development Plan, regular family check-ins, and access to complimentary vision screening as part of OAC’s school readiness approach. These supports help us build a deeper understanding of each child and respond to their individual needs over time.
Our Educators
OAC preschool and kindergarten rooms are led by degree-qualified early childhood educators with specialist qualifications in early childhood education. Educator-to-child ratios meet all applicable National Quality Standard (NQS) and regulatory requirements, helping ensure children receive personalised attention and meaningful learning experiences each day.
Our educators participate in ongoing professional development and work closely with OAC’s in-house health team including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and dietitians. This collaborative approach helps us support every aspect of a child’s learning, development, health, and wellbeing in their preschool years.
Our In-House Health & Wellbeing Team
OAC’s in-house Health and Wellbeing team is one of the ways we go beyond traditional childcare. Working alongside educators, our specialists help us build a deeper understanding of each child’s development and identify opportunities for support early.
- Speech pathologists: Our speech pathologists support children’s communication development, including speech sounds, language understanding and language use. At your request, they can provide communication screenings and help identify areas where additional support may be beneficial.
- Occupational therapists: Our occupational therapists help children build confidence and independence through everyday activities that support learning, participation and fine and gross motor development. Where appropriate, they can also guide families towards additional services and support.
- Dietitians: Our dietitians design seasonal menus that are prepared fresh daily by on-site cooks at every campus. By helping children develop positive relationships with food from an early age, they support healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
- Vision screening: As part of OAC’s school readiness approach, every child receives a complimentary vision screening in the year before they start school. Screenings are conducted by our consultant orthoptist in Victoria and Queensland, and through NSW Health in New South Wales.
School Readiness at OAC
OAC prepares children children for school through a two-year school readiness journey that begins when they enter our preschool program, not just in the final months before starting school. Throughout the preschool and kindergarten years, children build the learning, social, emotional, and physical skills needed to thrive in a school environment.
In the year before school, educators work closely with each family to create a tailored transition plan that supports a positive start to formal schooling. OAC’s in-house health team also provides School Readiness Assessments, helping families better understand their child’s strengths and identify any areas where additional support may be beneficial.
Families have access to school readiness information sessions, resources, and webinars throughout the year, providing practical guidance and support during this important transition.
At OAC, school readiness extends beyond academic learning. It includes confidence, independence, communication skills, resilience, and wellbeing—helping children arrive at school ready to learn, participate, and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find a Campus Near You
Choosing preschool or kindergarten is a big decision, and the best way to understand what makes OAC different is to experience it for yourself.
Find a Campus Near You
Choosing preschool or kindergarten is a big decision, and the best way to understand what makes OAC different is to experience it for yourself.