Free Kindy is for children who are aged at least 4 years old by 30 June in the year before they start school.

Kindy is a part-time educational program for children in the year before Prep. It is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year and is free for Queensland children attending a government approved Kindergarten program.

Families will benefit from Free Kindy whether they attend a sessional or long day care service.

Sessional Kindergartens operate during school hours each school term, whereas long day care services can provide a Kindergarten program as part of their extended hours of care.

What is Kindy? Kindergarten, known as Kindy, is a part-time educational program for children in the year before Prep (the first year of school in Queensland). Kindy is a place where your child will learn through play experiences and interactions that support their early learning, wellbeing and development. By participating in Kindy, children develop a love of learning and are supported with their transition to Prep.

Queensland Government Approved Kindy programs are delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher. Kindy programs can be offered at early childhood education centres; selected rural and remote and other selected state schools where there have been Kindy in Queensland Kindy is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year and is free. Barriers to access Kindergarten; and by distance education or eKindy for some children who cannot access a centre. Learning at Kindy provides young children with opportunities to:

• Use language to communicate ideas, feelings and needs

• Make friends, interact and cooperate with others

• Identify issues and develop problem solving skills

• Become more confident and independent in their abilities

• Connect with, explore and contribute to their world

• Build their knowledge and explore new ideas, helping to build their confidence.

Dear Valued Centre Families,

We would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to both our new and returning families at Kidi Kingdom Child Care Springfield. We are delighted to have you as part of our community and look forward to an exciting season ahead.

Exciting News, Welcoming Miss Jasmine, our new Kindergarten Teacher!

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our team with the addition of our new Kindergarten Teacher, Miss Jasmine. She will be joining Miss Maddison and Miss Caroline as part of our Kindergarten teaching team for 2025.

Miss Jasmine will be available from 9:00 AM till 2:00 PM every day. If you would like to meet her outside of these hours, please see Miss Natalie and we will happily arrange a suitable time. Miss Jasmine is excited to be part of our little community and has wonderful ideas to support our Kindergarten children as they prepare for their transition to primary school.

Upcoming Events

Stay up to date with our upcoming events by checking our weekly newsletter. Event details will also be displayed in your child's room and in the centre foyer. We welcome all families to join in on the fun!

Child Care Fee Important Reminders

A friendly reminder that our only payment method is direct debit and fees are required to always remain two weeks in advance as per our service policies.

• Your direct debit operates on a dynamic payment system, deducting the amount owed for the week or fortnight.

• If a payment is missed, the system will adjust the next cycle to recover the outstanding amount.

• Alternatively, you may manually transfer the payment to the centre's bank account (details can be found on your statement). Please use your child's name as the reference and send us a screenshot of the payment so we can update your account promptly.

Our vacancies are becoming minimal. If you wish to book extra days, please contact Miss Natalie or Miss Chrystle via email or phone to secure your child's spot.

Meals Provided

A reminder that all meals are provided by the centre, so there is no need to pack a lunch or snacks for your child.

Bringing outside food into the centre can:

• Affect our food licensing agreement with the local council.

• Pose a serious risk to children with allergies (including anaphylaxis).

If your child requires an alternative meal plan, please inform us and we will arrange suitable options.

Information for The National Quality Standards Review

We are currently reviewing Quality Area 2: Children's Health and Safety.

Standard 2.1 - Each child's health and physical activity is supported and promoted.

This includes the following elements:

• Well-being and Comfort (Element 2.1.1): Each child's well-being and comfort are supported, including appropriate opportunities for sleep, rest, and relaxation.

• Health Practices and Procedures (Element 2.1.2): Effective illness and injury management, as well as hygiene practices, are promoted and implemented.

• Healthy Lifestyle (Element 2.1.3): Healthy eating and physical activity are promoted in ways that are appropriate for each child.

Opportunities for Families to Get Involved

Please if you have any questions or concerns feel free to approach me at reception or simply email us at s@kidikingdom.com.au. Please head over to our Facebook page and we always appreciate our loyal families helping our centre by sharing your positive experiences to the local community by writing a quick 5 star Google, CareForKids or Facebook review.

Kind Regards, Ms Natalie Andrews Centre Manager

Click here to visit our pages at Facebook and Instagram

Dear Valued Centre Families,

Firstly, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new families who have joined us this year. We eagerly anticipate watching your children grow, learn, and form new friendships and special bonds with their educators.

At Kidi Kingdom Child Care, we believe that children's learning is maximised through collaboration between families and educators. We sincerely thank our families for their ongoing involvement.

As Educational Leader, I prioritise connecting with each child and their family to establish open communication and strong relationships through daily interactions. These valuable family connections enable your child's educators and me to gain insights and get to know each child from your family's perspective, which in turn facilitates smooth transitions between daycare and home.

Your feedback on your child's learning is highly valued. If you have the time, our educators would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave comments on the classroom daily news feeds or monthly observations, as this greatly helps with communication when face-to-face conversations haven't been possible. It also provides an opportunity to start discussions on information regarding your child's development that either party would like to share or to address particular needs or concerns.

Open conversations also allow us to give feedback on your child's progress and achievements. Please feel free to stop and have a chat during pick-up and drop-off, or schedule a time to discuss any issues or concerns.

Ms Chrystle Educational Leader

Dear Valued Early Learners Families of Kidi Kingdom Child Care Springfield, A warm welcome to all our wonderful parents! We hope you had a joyful holiday season and a great start to the New Year.

December was a month full of festive cheer in our Early Learners Room. The children had an amazing time engaging in various Christmas themed activities. One of the highlights was creating a beautiful Christmas tree display using Coles and Woolworths bags. This activity not only encouraged creativity but also helped promote the importance of recycling and reducing waste. All children participated in this sensory experience, gluing the tree with sparkles and beads. In addition to this, the children enjoyed making reindeer crafts, painting, and colouring Christmas themed artwork. They proudly took their creations home, along with a special gift pack including their portfolio to celebrate the season. To conclude the year, we welcomed 2025 with a fun New Year fireworks painting activity, making wonderful memories together.

January was a month of transition as most of our children moved into the Junior Early Years Room. To ensure a smooth adjustment, these children spent the day in their new environment, getting to know their new educators and routines. As part of this transition, we focused on important self care and hygiene practices, including handwashing and dental hygiene activities. Additionally, some children began their toilet training journey and we supported them with patience and encouragement.

We are so proud of all our little ones for embracing these changes with enthusiasm and confidence.

Along with the children transitioning, we also welcome a new educator to the room. Welcome Miss Sarah!. Sarah is excited to spend her days with your children this year as the new lead of Early Learners and looks forward to building strong, respectful relationships with both the children and your families as they explore, learn and grow together.

Please feel free to reach out to Ms Sarah at any time with any questions or information you may have.

Ms Sarah and Miss Anum Early Learners Educators

Dear Valued Centre Families,

Happy New Year!

My name is Miss Rianon and I'm delighted to be your child's Lead Educator this year. Miss Imogen, the Assistant Educator and I are looking forward to guiding and supporting your child on their learning journey. We are committed to creating a nurturing and dynamic environment where your child can grow, explore and develop new skills.

We are excited to get to know your child individually and provide them with the care and attention they need to thrive. We believe in fostering a positive atmosphere where curiosity, creativity, and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We will be working closely with your child, encouraging their natural interests and helping them navigate new challenges with confidence.

This year, we will be focusing on important themes such as sustainability, healthy eating and relationships. We will also be working on foundational skills like the alphabet through songs, games and interactive lessons. Additionally, we will be exploring the exciting world of animals, learning about different species and their habitats. We believe these diverse topics will help your child grow academically, socially and emotionally.

We are looking forward to a year full of learning, fun and growth. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's progress. We believe that strong communication between educators and families is key to a successful year and we are here to support both you and your child. Please look out for our weekly newsletters for upcoming events and remember to label all of your child's belongings, including hats, bottles, sheets and spare clothes.

We look forward to the wonderful adventures ahead.

Warm Regards, Miss Rianon and Miss Imogen Junior Early Years Educators

Dear Families of the Senior Early Years Room,

2024 was a wonderful year filled with learning and cherished memories for each child in the Senior Early Years Room. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the lovely parents. It has been an absolute pleasure to have your child join us on this exciting journey of discovery, growth and happiness. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child's early education and care.

In December, the children expressed their holiday spirit through creative art and dramatic play. Their adventures sparked discussions about Christmas, and the unforgettable Christmas party created interactive stations that encouraged participation from children, families and the community. The craft station, games and a visit from Santa himself provided engaging entertainment for all the children throughout the party.

In January, the children transitioned to new rooms and participated in our orientation process to become familiar with their new environment and routine. Miss Raquel helped them understand the transition as they moved into their new rooms for the start of the new year. Miss Raquel has now moved into the Early Years Room with Miss Anum. Our strong emphasis on trusting guidance is an effective key for smooth transitions.

This month, the children have settled into their new rooms and have started to form new relationships with Miss Raquel and Miss Anum. They are learning new routines and developing a sense of connection and belonging in their new setting. We are balancing outdoor play and indoor time, incorporating both play-based experiences and routine activities. This week, we acknowledged Waitangi Day by decorating feathers and engaging in a fun group activity related to the Treaty of Waitangi, an important historical document and event in New Zealand.

Looking forward to the celebration of Valentine's Day, love is in the air! We are nurturing a passion for learning and the children will explore new horizons with enthusiasm. Watch for other exciting activities this month.

We welcome this brand new year with excitement and energy as the children dive into fresh learning activities.

Warm Regards, Miss Raquel and Miss Anum Senior Early Years Educators

Dear Valued Kindergarten Room 1 Families,

My name is Jasmine and I am delighted to be one of your child's Kindergarten teachers at Kidi Kingdom Child Care in Springfield. I am committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where each child can thrive. My goal is to build a strong foundation in social skills, literacy, numeracy and independence to prepare your child for the exciting journey of school life.

This year, I will focus on enhancing social interaction by encouraging sharing, turn taking and effective communication. Through a variety of experiences, your child will develop meaningful relationships and learn to navigate social situations with confidence. In literacy, we will work on letter recognition and writing skills, incorporating fun and engaging activities to foster a love of learning. For numeracy, we will explore number recognition and counting, establishing a solid understanding of basic mathematical concepts.

Fine motor skills are essential, so we will engage in activities that strengthen hand eye coordination and dexterity. I will also incorporate physical activities to enhance balance and coordination, ensuring your child is prepared for the physical demands of school. We will also work towards fostering independence by encouraging your child to manage personal tasks such as packing their bag, opening lunch containers, and dressing themselves. To stimulate cognitive development, I will also incorporate activities that promote critical thinking and problem solving, encouraging your child to think analytically and develop resilience.

I am excited to embark on this journey with your child and look forward to witnessing their growth and development throughout the year.

Warm Regards, Miss Jasmine Kindergarten Teacher

Dear Valued Families of the Kindergarten Room 2,

Welcome to Kindergarten 2! I'm truly excited to get to know each of you and to guide your children on their educational journey this year.

While we were sad to say goodbye to our friends who moved on to Prep, we were also incredibly proud of their accomplishments. December, 2024 and January, 2025 were filled with exciting experiences, including our Kindergarten Graduation for 2024. The children performed beautifully, received their certificates and celebrated with their loved ones.

We also focused on Mind, Body and Wellness Day, encouraging the children to reflect on their mental and physical health. We celebrated Australia Day and Chinese New Year filled with fun and culturally enriching activities.

In February, we look forward to celebrating Waitangi Day and Valentine's Day with creativity and learning.

I'm happy to share that the children have settled wonderfully into their new room. We have been incorporating their individual interests into our curriculum, and their enthusiasm for learning is inspiring.

I'm grateful to be a part of this journey with you and your children, and I look forward to all that the coming months will bring.

Warm Regards, Miss Maddi Kindergarten Teacher

Ingredients

1 brown onion, coarsely grated

2 tsp fennel seeds

500g pkt Coles Garlic and Herb Pork Sausages, casings removed

1/2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 Coles Australian Free Range Egg, lightly whisked

Step1.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and 1 tsp fennel seeds. Cook, stirring, for 5 mins or until the onion softens. Cool slightly. Transfer to a bowl with the sausage. Use your hands to mix until combined. Divide into 3 portions.

Step2.

Cut the whole pastry sheet in half. Place 1 pastry half on a clean work surface. Shape 1 portion of sausage mixture into a 3cm x 24cm log. Place along 1 long edge of the pastry half. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little egg. Roll up to enclose the filling. Cut into 4 pieces and place seam-side down on a lined tray. Repeat with remaining pastry halves and sausage mixture. Brush with the remaining egg and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp fennel seeds.

Step3.

Bake for 25 mins or until the pastry is puffed and golden and the filling is cooked through.