Carey Street
Kindergarten

Our Centre

At Carey Street Kindergarten we have dedicated team of educators passionate about Early Childhood Education ready and waiting to welcome you to our service. We are very proud to be recognised as Exceeding in the National Assessment and Ratings and are always striving for best practice in all that we do.

Our program at Carey Street Kindergarten draws on the best of theory and practice and is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

We also draw inspiration from the European forest schools and recognise the importance of open natural learning environments and as such, we are committed to taking the children into the bush to explore, investigate and make connections with their natural world as part of our Bush Kinder program. We aim to provide a program that creates awareness and education in looking after our environment and promoting a sustainable future. We believe it is essential that we do our utmost to protect and educate children regarding the future of our environment for generations to come. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program plays an integral part in this process to give children a hands on experience in gardening, cooking and sharing a meal together.

Our kindergarten plays an important role within families lives, offering support and providing resources that are reflective and supportive of their needs. We encourage family engagement and participation within the program.

Take a Virtual Tour of our Kindergarten

Carey Street Kindergarten proudly displays the Kinder Tick to help families feel confident that our program is recognised as a funded kindergarten program and:

  • Is led by qualified staff
  • Children benefit from play-based learning
  • The kindergarten program is funded and approved by the Victorian Government
  • Our program complies with government guidelines and the National Quality Framework

Carey Street Kindergarten

9 Carey Street
Ararat, VIC, 3377

Tel: (03) 4311 1508

Email: careyst@ykinders.org.au

NQS Exceeding Logo Victorian Approved Kinder Tick

3 & 4 Year Old
Kinder Programs

We offer free 3 and 4 year old kindergarten programs, with the introduction of Pre-Prep in 2025.

Community
Excursions

Excursions support children to explore and get to know different spaces outside of their world inside the centre. We run a variety of excursions and incursions to enhance learning and development.

Kitchen Garden
Program

We participate in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program with our own vegetable garden. The program introduces food education to children, helping form positive food habits for life.

Storypark App
Access

Storypark connects our educators with parents, providing the ability to share news, service updates, progress and exciting moments from kinder to home!

Space to
Explore

Our outdoor play areas are designed to encourage learning and exploration in the natural environment and include a sensory path, dry creek bed, mud kitchen, large lawn areas and a fort.

Safeguarding Children
and Young People

We pride ourselves on our commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people, providing safe and fun environments for children to flourish.

Philosophy

Our kindergarten’s philosophy guides our teaching and approach to early learning. It is informed by the National Quality Framework and underpins all our service’s operations and daily practices.
For more details, please ask us for a copy of our Philosophy Statement.

The Y has been delivering Early Learning Programs for over 20 years and is passionate about creating safe, fun, educational environments where children can thrive. At the Y, we believe in the power of inspired young people and we feel there is no better time to begin inspiring than in an Early Learning program!

Enrolment & Session Information

Carey Street Kindergarten’s enrolment process is managed by the Y Kinders’ enrolment team.

We operate free 4 year old and 3 year old kindergarten programs on the days and times below:

3 Year Old Kindergarten (2024)

Day Time
Monday 9.00am – 2.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am – 2.00pm
Friday 9.00am – 2.00pm
 

4 Year Old Kindergarten (2024)

Day Time
Tuesday 8.30am – 4.00pm
Thursday 8.30am – 4.00pm

 

Provisional Times for 3 Year Old Kindergarten (2025)

Group 1 – 2025 Provisional Times

Day Time
Monday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 1.30pm

Group 2 – 2025 Provisional Times

Day Time
Wednesday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Thursday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Friday 8.30am – 1.30pm

Group 3 – 2025 Provisional Times

Day Time
Monday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 1.30pm
Thursday 8.30am – 1.30pm

Provisional Times for Pre-Prep (2025)

Day Time
Monday 8.30am – 2.30pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 2.30pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 2.30pm
Thursday 8.30am – 2.30pm
Friday 8.30am – 2.30pm

Find out more about Pre-Prep here.

For additional support on your child’s enrolment, contact our Y Kinders’ enrolment team:

  • Call us on 03 4311 1500
  • Email us at earlyyears@ykinders.org.au
  • Chat to us using the contact form on this page
 

Parent Info

We understand that starting kindergarten can be a big step for your child and your family.

From choosing and visiting a service, through to enrolling, orientation and anticipating the important first day, these all form the path to your child commencing at kindergarten.

Enrolment Assistance

To enrol in one of our programs please use the links on this page.

For assistance or further information, please fill in the form below.


The Y acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and future.

View our full Commitment Statements here .

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