Four-Year-Old Finches Program

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Session Days for 2025Days: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Access: Each child attends 2 days per week, with access to 16 hours of free kindergarten.
Teachers: Amy & Heidi
Educators: Leanne, Jo & Kat

Session Days for 2026Days: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Access: Each child attends 2 days per week, with access to 16 hours of free kindergarten.
  • Monday: Four-Year-Olds only
  • Tuesday & Thursday: Mixed Age Group (3 and 4-year-olds)
There will be two groups of four-year-olds, each attending 2 days per week.
Some four-year-olds will be offered places in the mixed age group sessions.
Group allocation will be managed by teachers, with families invited to submit their preferred days at the Annual General Meeting in 30 October 2025.
Please note: Once session days are allocated, they cannot be changed.
Teachers: TBC
Educators: TBC
Rhythm of the DayAt Yandell Kindergarten, our daily rhythm is guided by verse, song, and blessings—offering gratitude for the gifts of nature and grounding the children in a calm, nurturing flow. This gentle structure supports their wellbeing and sense of security throughout the day.
The daily rhythm unfolds as follows:
  • Arrival & Supervised Indoor/Outdoor Play
    A calm and welcoming start to the day.
  • Indoor Play & Morning Activity
    Activities may include wet-on-wet painting, milling grain, cooking, bread making, drawing, household tasks, and seasonal crafts such as sewing, felting, or pom-pom making.
  • Pack-Up & Table Setting
    Children help tidy the space and prepare the table for morning tea.
  • Circle Time
    A joyful time of songs, rhymes, movement, games, and birthday celebrations.
  • Morning Tea
    We share a nourishing snack—often fruit with homemade apple muffins, muesli, or apple crumble, depending on the season.
  • Outdoor Play
    Children explore, create, and connect with the natural world.
  • Story Time
    A quiet, imaginative tale shared with the group.
  • Lunch Preparation
    We set the lunch table, organise rest bags, and wash hands.
  • Lunch
    A wholesome, seasonal meal—examples include pasta, salad rolls, or pumpkin soup.
  • Clean-Up & Rest Preparation
    Children help clear the table and sweep the space before rest.
  • Quiet Rest Time
    A peaceful time to restore and reset.
  • Outdoor Play
    More time for free play and movement in the natural environment.
  • Outdoor Pack-Up
    Children help care for and tidy the outdoor space.
  • Afternoon Tea
    A light snack such as homemade Anzac biscuits or apple cake.
  • Chapter Book Story Time
    A calming end-of-day story from an ongoing book.
  • Outdoor Play & Home Time
    Children transition gently from the day into home life.
EnrolmentsEnrolments for our Four-Year-Old Finches Program are managed through Banyule Council.
Please visit the Banyule Council website for information on how to enrol for 2026.
Registrations for 2026 will open on Friday 1st March 2025 at 9am.
Please note: applications are not time-stamped.

VacanciesTo enquire about vacancies for 2025, please contact Banyule Council to be placed on the waiting list.

FeesYandell Kindergarten has opted into the Free Kindergarten initiative.
  • Four-Year-Old Program (Funded Sessional Kindergarten, 16 hours/week):
    No parent fee
  • Slippers: $45 per pair
  • Deposit: $300
    (This payment secures your child's place and is refunded upon commencement of Term 1)