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Early literacy and numeracy
Built through play, inquiry, and real experiences.
In an inquiry-rich program, children develop the foundations for literacy and numeracy in authentic ways – through storytelling and conversation, symbols and mark-making, patterns and measurement, building and problem-solving. Sparrow also explicitly frames play as supporting the cognitive pathways that underpin later literacy, numeracy, and scientific reasoning.
School readiness that respects childhood
Kindergarten is designed to prepare children for school while protecting what matters most – joy, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging.
Kindergarten helps children prepare for school, develop a lifelong love of learning, make friends, and develop life skills.
At Sparrow, school readiness is built through:
How children learn at Sparrow
We see every child as a capable, curious explorer.
Our educators act as co-explorers – listening closely, asking thoughtful questions, and offering materials and experiences that extend children’s thinking. Our learning environments are intentionally designed to invite investigation and collaboration, supporting children to build knowledge together.
Sessional vs long day care
What’s the difference between sessional kindergarten and kindergarten programs delivered in long day care settings?
Both sessional kindergarten and kindergarten programs delivered within long day care settings provide approved early childhood education programs designed to prepare children for school. The key difference is how the program is delivered.
Sessional kindergarten typically operates during school hours and school terms only, with set session times across a few days each week. Kindergarten delivered within a long day care setting offers the same play-based learning outcomes and government-approved curriculum, but with the added flexibility of longer hours, year-round care and a familiar environment that supports working families.
At Sparrow Early Learning, our Kindergarten Program combines high-quality early education with the convenience, continuity and nurturing relationships that come from being part of a long day care community — helping children feel confident, connected and ready for school.
Kindergarten across Australia
While our approach to early years education remains consistent, how and what is available in each of the states that Sparrow operates in differs, check out the Kindergarten, Kindy or Kinder offering in your state:
Government-approved kindergarten (Free Kindy)
Your child’s kindergarten year is a time for wonder, connection and growing independence. An approved Queensland kindergarten program is:
Free Kindy provides 15 hours per week for up to 40 weeks per year as part of a Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program. In long day care, families may still pay for hours outside the funded program, and CCS may help reduce out-of-pocket costs depending on your eligibility.
What does ‘Free Kindy’ actually cover?
Free Kindy covers 15 hours per week for up to 40 weeks per year in a Queensland Government-approved kindergarten program.
Will I pay anything if my child attends kindy in long day care?
Only for the extended care hours before/after the Free Kindy program – CCS may offset some of these costs depending on eligibility.
In Queensland, an approved kindergarten program is an inquiry-based program in the year before Prep, delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher, generally provided 15 hours per week across 40 weeks. Long day care services may offer the kindergarten program alongside extended hours of care (meaning your child can be in one place for both teacher-led kindy learning and longer care hours).
Our Queensland services delivering approved kindergarten programs will display the ‘kindy tick,’ indicating alignment with the Queensland kindergarten learning guideline.
Queensland Government guidance commonly ties eligibility to children being at least 4 years old by 30 June in the year they start kindergarten (the year before school/Prep).
Queensland-approved kindergarten programs are delivered by a university qualified early childhood teachers.
At Sparrow we believe that play is the foundation for the development of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving – capabilities that support later literacy and numeracy – within child-led exploration rather than rigid ‘drill’ learning.
Yes, under the Public Health Act 2005 (QLD), immunisation legislation in Queensland allows discretion in relation to enrolment and attendance. In accordance with this legislation, Sparrow Early Learning Queensland services accept the enrolment and attendance of children who are not immunised by parental choice, who are on a recognised immunisation catch-up schedule, or whose immunisation status is unknown.
For health and outbreak management purposes, children with an unknown immunisation status are recorded as not immunised. During a declared public health event or outbreak, exclusion or additional requirements may apply in line with public health directions.
Families should be aware that while Queensland legislation permits enrolment and attendance, Australian Government requirements under No Jab, No Pay may affect eligibility for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and other family assistance payments. Families are responsible for ensuring their child’s immunisation status is accurately recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.
Government-approved kindergarten (Free Kinder)
In Victoria, Sparrow gives children the best start applying the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder program which includes two funded kindergarten years –
Our educators create play-based invitations and sensory-rich environments where toddlers can communicate, experiment, and collaborate. Through these experiences, children build confidence, self-expression, and early social skills in a safe and inspiring setting.
Free Kinder is available for children enrolled in funded Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten programs at participating services across Victoria, including long day care.
Yes, the Kindergarten program is free for up to 15hrs per week, however, if families needing to access before and after kinder care will be charged out of pocket fees aligned with their CCS funding entitlements.
No. Free Kinder is for everyone and families do not need a Health Care Card, Australian citizenship, or proof of address to access it at participating services.
Free Kinder funded hours can differ by program and child’s age.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten programs range between 5 and 15 hours, and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is currently 15 hours.
Generally no. Families can access a funded kinder program and Free Kinder at only one service at any one time, and services will ask families to confirm the nominated service.
No matter where your child attends kinder, they will take part in a quality program led by a university qualified early childhood teacher.
Sparrow educators provide a Transition Learning and Development Statement (TLDS) when children move from kindergarten to school. Sparrow supports transitions through consistent documentation, family partnership, and intentional routines that build confidence, independence, and belonging.
Sparrow uses Storypark to share updates and learning experiences with families, supporting visibility of learning and connection.
Sparrow Kindergarten Program
Sparrow’s kindergarten program in our Western Australian Services supports children to become confident, capable learners through play, relationships, and meaningful investigations built from children’s interests.
At Sparrow, the Kindergarten program is –
Our educators nurture these abilities with play-based learning, hands-on exploration, and meaningful social interactions. Guided by each child’s interests, we support curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression, laying strong foundations for lifelong learning.
Sparrow’s kindergarten program offers a 5 day per week program that prepares children for Pre-primary (the first year of full-time school).
Children must be 4 years old by 30 June in the year they start kindergarten (meaning some children begin while still 3 and turn 4 during the year).
Sparrow’s kindergarten learning is play-based and shaped by learning outcomes including identity, wellbeing, confidence as learners, and communication.
Sparrow’s kindergarten learning block runs 9:00am – 3:00pm, with extended-hours care available before and after (availability varies by centre).
Sparrow’s program highlights learning experiences such as exploring books, listening to stories, storytelling, talking and listening, and imaginative play that includes counting and sorting. We believe play supports the development of cognitive pathways that underpin later literacy and numeracy.
Sparrow’s kindergarten programs are delivered by university-trained Early Childhood Teachers.
Sparrow uses Storypark to share daily learning experiences and routine updates, helping families stay connected to progress.
At Sparrow we believe that play is the foundation for the development of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving – capabilities that support later literacy and numeracy – within child-led exploration rather than rigid ‘drill’ learning.
Sparrow Early Learning
We’re the hand that holds when yours lets go.
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