Your Y Kinder’s Open Day – why you shouldn’t miss it!

March 13, 2025 Kinder Experience

Choosing a kindergarten can be daunting for some families. Especially as it may your little one’s first steps in their early learning journey. It can be hard to know what is important at this stage, or what questions to ask.

Or it may feel like a decision that’s easy. Your child may be continuing in the footsteps of older siblings at the same kinder. Perhaps there is only one kinder in your local area or you’ve done volumes of research online and are ready to register your choice and enrol. So is there any value in going to an Open Day?

Why go to an Open Day?

Every family and every child is different, has different interests, expectations and life experiences. New educators join and others retire, kinder programs respond to curriculum changes and facilities are renovated and upgraded.

Matthew, father of a child at kindergarten, had wondered if going to an Open Day would be beneficial. “As we live in the area, and know lots of families already at the kinder, I didn’t know if we needed to go to the Open Day,” he said.

Attending the Open Day not only gave greater insight into the kinder program but also provided connections and information to assist with the transition.

“It really allowed us to see if it was the right fit for our child and us. Something I had not expected, was how important play was within the learning environment,” Matthew explained. “The Educators were also able to give us some great ideas about preparing for kinder and building excitement as we moved towards starting the year.”

What happens at an Open Day?

Open Days are designed to give families a glimpse into the daily life of a kindergarten.

They provide the opportunity to:

• Explore the facilities – Walk through the rooms, play areas, and outdoor spaces to see where your child will be spending their time.
• Experience the learning environment – See the resources available and how these will be used to encourage learning and play.
• Ask questions – Gain insights into the curriculum, routines, and how the kindergarten supports individual needs. Kindergartens may have kitchen garden programs, Bush Kinder, special music programs or regular visitors to enhance the educational experience.
• Meet other families – Many Y Kinders have active and involved Parent Advisory Groups who assist the kinder with the preparations for the Open Day and may be present. Additionally, there will be other parents and children looking around who may be part of your child’s future learning community.

What should you look for at an Open Day?

Don’t just take our word for it. The Department of Education has a number of guides to assist families when choosing a kindergarten. The information covers the following considerations when visiting a kinder:

• Atmosphere and environment – Does the space feel warm, welcoming, and safe to you and your child? Positive and stimulating environments are essential for early learning.
• Educators’ engagement – If your child was present did they also feel welcome? Did the Educators ask questions about your child and your family?
• Learning approach – Y Kinders foster creativity, exploration, and social skills. This should be evident in the environment or through discussions with the Educators.
• Outdoor play opportunities – Outdoor activities are crucial for development. Explore the outdoor play areas and nature-based experiences.
• Parent communication – Our Y Kinders use StoryPark, a secure online platform that allows sharing kindergarten updates and your child’s activities to enhance their learning and time at kinder. There are also many other ways kinders keep families involved and informed. Ask your Y Kinder team about how they will share information about your child’s progress, experiences and the kindergarten community.

Making the most of your visit

To get the most out of an Open Day, consider the questions that cover what’s important to you. Think about what matters most to you and your child—whether it’s the times and days offered, a huge outdoor space, connections with the local community, cultural diversity, or features of the program such as Bush Kinder. Take note of how your child responds to the environment and trust your instincts.

Area Director for Metro South, Paula Deglas, is supporting nine Y Kinders’ services in their preparations for their Open Nights.

“Open Days or Nights are a great way for families to tour the learning spaces and meet our teaching teams,” she shared. Paula encourages families to make the most of these kndergarten open times, as they offer a chance to explore the space and have in-depth conversations without all the usual daily routines in place.

“These provide families an opportunity to get a real sense of the learning environment and of the aspects that will appeal to their child. Our teams are excited to show their services, and are really able to focus on meeting families and answering questions.”

By attending an Open Day, you’ll gain valuable insight into what a kindergarten has to offer and feel confident in making the best choice for your child’s early learning journey.

You can find a list of all Y Kinders’ Open Days here.

What if you can’t make an Open Day?

If you miss your Y Kinder Open Day, or can’t attend on the day, please contact your kinder to arrange a tour.

To find out more about specific questions to ask about the curriculum, the National Quality Framework or the Victorian Early Learning and Development Framework see the following government information here:

• Victorian Early Years Learning & Development Framework (VEYLDF)
• National Quality Framework
• How to choose a kindergarten (Victorian Government)

You can view a list of all Y Kinders’ Open Days here.