Lake Park Kindergarten is nestled amongst the beautiful natural environment of the Merri Creek and Coburg Lake Parklands. We are a community-based, not-for-profit organisation managed by Moreland Early Years Management and have served the Coburg community since 1969. We offer kindergarten programs for both 3 and 4 year olds. We nurture our children in a secure, happy and caring environment as they explore, discover and grow through play-based learning. At Lake Park Kindergarten, we make the most of our beautiful, natural outdoor setting as much as our indoor classroom. Our tall and beautiful evergreen trees provide an abundance of shade in our large, well-equipped outdoor play area which includes a boat, sand pit, amphitheatre, forest corner, cubby house, climbing fort, mud pit with water channel, sealed bike track and fruit trees and veggie garden. Our spacious room provides a variety of activity zones for our children to work and play in, either independently or in groups. We have a huge array of materials and educational toys which present unique learning opportunities as the children investigate, create, build and engage in imaginative play.
Nature Program for both 3 & 4yo Programs
Lake Park Kindergarten are extremely lucky to have Coburg Lake Parklands close to our kindergarten and as such we offer a wonderful nature program where children learn about nature and the seasons, having room to explore, climb and run, collect natural objects, discussions on what changes happen in nature and about the different things we find there, learning about the Wurundjeri people and the first inhabitants of the land.
Philosophy
Lake Park Kindergarten believes in child-led, play-based learning. We believe children engage and learn best when their experiences are self-initiated and fun. We nurture, guide and support each individual child by cultivating their interests, exposing them to new experiences and celebrating their unique and wonderful identities.
We encourage and value the amount of effort children put into their work, rather than the quality or accuracy of the end results. This philosophy places an emphasis on the child’s own learning ‘processes’ rather than ‘products’. We believe that it is this philosophy that will nurture your child’s development and confidence, help build positive social relationships, and bring about success and achievement. We also have a strong commitment to equity and inclusion and the full participation of children with special needs.
Parent Involvement
We encourage families to participate in and enrich their child’s kindergarten experience by joining the parent helper roster, assisting with excursions and incursions, becoming involved in working bees and joining the Parent Group. Lake Park Kindergarten wouldn’t be the same without the team of committed volunteer parents who make up our Parent Group. All parents are encouraged to join to contribute their time and skills to keep this important service to the community. It’s also a great way to meet new friends in the local area.
Parents are encouraged to participate in Kinder Duty from Term 2 onwards. There is a roster available in the foyer and parents are encouraged to sign up for one session per term. Your child will love having you there and you can see them in their kinder environment and get to know their friends. You are welcome to bring younger siblings and if you can’t stay for the entire session that’s fine. You can also share your skills or knowledge with the children – in the past parents have celebrated their culture with the children, or ran sessions with music, craft and cooking to name but a few. Just talk to your child’s teacher to arrange ahead of time.
There will be working bees held throughout the year, with dates announced in our newsletters (via the SkoolBag app). It is expected that every family come and pitch in for a 2 hour session at least once per year. Again please let us know of any special skills you can contribute in this area.
Our staff
We have a team of committed, experienced and kind staff who always put the needs of the children first. The aim of our staff is to maximise the benefit of the kindergarten experience for each child by creating a relationship based on trust and respect. Each group has two teaching staff – a qualified teacher with a teaching degree specialising in early childhood and a co- educator with a diploma or certificate in children’s services. Our highly experienced staff recognise stages of child development and create and facilitate a learning environment that is responsive to the children’s interests, learning and needs.
Please click to view our timetable and Q&A’s