Kindergarten in Bendigo, Victoria
Welcome to Creative Garden Bendigo. Our kindergarten and early learning centre is a convenient choice for local families in Bendigo, Ironbark, North Bendigo, Quarry Hill, Kennington, Long Gully, Flora Hill, Golden Square, Strathdale, Golden Gully, California Gully, East Bendigo, White Hills and Jackass Flat. We are proud to offer a nurturing and inclusive kindergarten program in Bendigo that supports every child’s growth, wellbeing, and learning journey.
Our kindergarten program is guided by both the National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), and is delivered by a team of passionate early childhood educators. With a strong focus on independence, curiosity, and connection, our program is enriched by family partnerships, community engagement, and personalised support from allied health professionals. From social and physical development to environmental awareness and cultural inclusion, we empower children to thrive in a safe and welcoming space where they feel respected, capable, and confident as they prepare for school and life beyond.
Why you’ll love our Kindergarten Bendigo
Spacious outdoor environments
Qualified Early Childhood Teachers
Chef-prepared meals
Government-approved Kindergarten program
Family communication app
Extended/flexible hours
Personalised learning plans
Local school connections
Our Bendigo Kindergarten’s Philosophy
At our Kindergarten in Bendigo, we acknowledge that we work and play on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung Country, and we pay our respects to the Jarra Jarra people and their Elders, past and present. Our philosophy embraces strong connections with families, recognising them as a child’s first and most important teacher. By working in close partnership with families, educators can better understand and extend each child’s individual learning journey.
Our team is committed to:
- Providing a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment
- Promoting resilience, secure attachments, and a strong sense of belonging
- Protecting children’s rights and wellbeing under the National Quality Standards and Child Safe Standards
- Creating culturally respectful and equitable learning spaces
- Using ongoing reflection and collaboration to enhance educator practice
- Partnering with community services, health professionals, and support agencies to benefit children and families
We view each child as an active learner with unique strengths and perspectives. Our curriculum is emergent and reflective, built in collaboration with children, families, and our educational team.
Engaging extracurricular activities
Our kindergarten program is enriched with hands-on, interest-led experiences that go beyond the classroom to support children’s development and wellbeing. These activities are designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, independence, and community awareness while reinforcing everyday learning outcomes in fun and meaningful ways.
- Strong partnerships with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and play therapists, who visit children onsite and collaborate with educators to support individual developmental goals
- Open-ended art and music experiences offered daily, encouraging self-expression and creativity
- Self-serve meal times to build independence, informed food choices, and an understanding of environmental impact
- Vegetable gardening activities that teach responsibility, sustainability, and healthy living
- Community visits from local experts such as Coliban Water and the Responsible Pet Program, helping children connect with important safety and environmental messages
Flexible daily routine in Kindergarten
Our daily rhythm encourages independence, decision-making, and hands-on exploration. Children enjoy an indoor–outdoor program that allows them to follow their interests, while educators offer meaningful learning opportunities throughout the day.
- Indoor–outdoor curriculum: Children freely move between environments, choosing where and how they play
- Self-serve mealtimes: Promote healthy habits, portion control, and reduce food waste
- Emergent learning: Educators plan experiences based on children’s interests and developmental needs
This balanced and flexible approach helps children feel confident and in control of their day.
Local school partnerships
We work closely with local primary schools in Bendigo to ensure children feel ready, supported, and excited about their next step into formal education. Our school transition program includes:
- Visits from local schools to the centre, giving children a chance to meet teachers and build familiarity
- Transition statements written for every child moving into primary school, outlining strengths, interests, and areas of support
- Kindergarten information evenings – Families are invited to connect with local school representatives, ask questions, and learn more about the transition to school and how our kindergarten program supports readiness
Our educators and teachers are also available to speak with schools and families to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Kindergarten program with long day care hours
Whether you’re a parent who works, studies, or simply needs additional flexibility in your day, our enhanced learning program offers the perfect balance of quality early education and extended care. We provide access to the Victorian Government’s “Best Start, Best Life” Kinder Program within a long daycare setting, ensuring children receive a structured, play-based learning experience while benefiting from longer care hours.
Our centre offers flexible long daycare options, with session lengths of up to 9, 10, 11, or 12 hours, catering to different family needs. Plus, families can take advantage of our combined Kindergarten and Long Daycare program, which includes 15 hours per week, 600 hours per year, at low or no cost. ** This means your child gets the best start in their educational journey while you enjoy the convenience and support of extended care options.
Fees
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements. In Victoria, your kindergarten-aged child could also be eligible for up to 15 hours per week of kinder at low or no cost, on top of your CCS savings.
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Nursery0 – 2 years
$175.30 -
Toddler2 – 3 years
$175.30 -
Kindergarten3 – 5 years
$175.30
Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.*
CCS Estimator results
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Estimated subsidy
$0.00 -
Total fees
$0.00 -
Out-of-pocket cost
$0.00
*This estimator provides an estimate only and is based on the following assumptions:
- Accuracy and currency of family income information entered.
- Family CCS entitlements include 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Please note your family may be entitled to less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight – if you are unsure we recommend you use the comprehensive CCS estimator in the link below.
- Where 1-4 days of care is selected, full day sessions apply (being full operational hours of the centre, which can vary between centres).
- Where 5 days of care is selected, 10-hour per day sessions apply (ie, 50 hours p/w to optimise 100 hours of CCS subsidised care across the fortnight).
- Where a family’s CCS entitlements include less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, please use the comprehensive CCS calculator as a guide via the link below.
For a more complete subsidy estimation, check out our comprehensive CCS calculator here.
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Frequently asked questions
In Australia, sessional kindergartens or preschools are usually operated by local government, religious organisations, schools, private organisations or the community. They usually run during school term and school hours, meaning the program runs for 40 weeks per year, with most sessions finishing up around 2 pm, over 2-3 days per week.
The kindergarten or preschool program is also offered in long day care centres. Most long day care centres are open from 7:00 AM. to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday with flexible drop-off/pick-up times to better accommodate busy working families. Long day care centres run 52 weeks per year, meaning your child would not miss out on valuable learning opportunities during school holidays.
Nutritional meals and snacks are covered in long day care centres, so you don’t have to worry about packing lunches.
Child Care Subsidy still applies when your child attends the kindergarten or preschool programs offered in long day care services. Depending on your state or territory, different funding options can be combined with your Child Care Subsidy savings, making kindergarten or preschool more affordable for your family.
Essentially, there is no difference between the curriculums adopted by long day care and sessional kindergarten or preschool providers. They are both run by qualified early childhood teachers, and they all align with Early Years Learning Framework, focusing on supporting individual children’s development, interests and needs through play-based and intentional learning experiences.
If your child is already settled at a long day care centre, they have the opportunity to stay in a familiar environment, transitioning together with their friends.
To receive the Best Start, Best Life Kinder subsidy, your child needs to turn 4 years on or before 30th April 2024 and enrolled in a funded Kindergarten program in 2024. For 3 year old Kindergarten, to be eligible your child must be 3 on or before 30th April 2024 and enrolled in a funded Kindergarten program in 2024. Your child must attend a minimum of 2 days of Kinder per week, across which can be applied over 52 weeks of the year.
The government subsidised kindergarten hours apply to 15 hours a week which can be applied over 52 weeks.
The 7.5 hours free kinder is delivered during our long day care hours at our centres. The VIC Government is subsidising 7.5 hours of your long day care Kinder day, therefore there will be a reduced out of pocket cost on these days.
All our kindergarten programs run every day of the week. This means families have the flexibility for their child/ren to receive the highest quality learning experiences on days that best support them.
The benefit of attending a G8 Education long day care centre is our enhanced learning program combines play-based long daycare programming plus the government approved Best Start, Best Life Kindergarten program. Our program runs 5 days a week for 52 weeks of the year. During the period where the government funded kindergarten does not apply, your CCS will reduce your out of pocket expense.
The Victorian Government will subsidise 15 hours per week over, 600 hours per year which can be applied over 52 weeks (minimum 2 days per week). As a long day care provider, we offer a 5 day per week program and your child can attend more than 2 days per week. If you are eligible for the Childcare Subsidy (CCS), the CCS will apply on these additional days and reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Attending 2 days or more supports your child’s learning, development and wellbeing to experience a successful school transition as a more confident and engaged learner.
Attending Kindergarten at G8 Education centres means your child will benefit from our enhanced learning program that combines play-based long daycare with the VIC Government funded Kindergarten.
Busy families will be reassured with year-round care that develops holistic school readiness. More than numeracy and literacy, our program fosters emotional and social development and resilience and self-regulation for healthy bodies and minds.
No, you can only access funding at one centre for 15 hours a week, which can be applied over 52 weeks.
This is an additional subsidy from the Victorian Government that will apply to a portion of your fees after the Childcare Subsidy is applied. The percentage of CCS your family is entitled to for non-funded Kindergarten program hours will not change.
We have good news for families who are not eligible for CCS.
The VIC Government will subsidise the 15 hours per week of free Kindergarten, which can be applied across 52 weeks. Outside of these subsidised hours, full fees will be applied.
All our kindergarten programs follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), a national learning framework for Australia. These programs are informed by qualified and passionate Early Childhood Educators and Teachers. Our Curriculum accommodates each individual child’s learning, development, and well-being.
Kindergarten provides a unique time for children to further develop their positive dispositions to learning, oral language skills, and social/emotional and physical capabilities.
To learn more about the wonderful learning opportunities at the centre of your choice, reach out to the Centre Manager.
G8 Education owns 21 well-respected and recognised early education brands across Australia. Together, we are one team of 9,500 dedicated, passionate and supportive team members and experienced educators committed to empowering children and helping them develop and grow.
Our approach to early childhood education, high-quality programs and services, as well as our operational policies and procedures are consistent across all G8 brands. Every child in our care is individually nurtured and supported throughout their learning journey. The quality of education and care that our families receive is consistent across every G8 centre.
At G8 Education centres, we offer families year-round programming.
G8 Education has over 400 centres across Australia and 100+ centres in Victoria. You can find a centre near you by using our map search tool above. Simply enter your postcode and click search to get started. You will be provided with a list of all centres surrounding your desired location.
The best way to get accurate availability for G8 centres is to speak with our Family Support team either through Live Chat on the website or by calling them on 07 5644 6900.
Most of our G8 long day care centres are open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm on weekdays. However, some centres open earlier or close later to support your busy family life! We encourage you to contact your local centre about their opening times using our Web Chat or calling our Family support team on 07 5644 6900.
Contact us
We welcome you to visit Creative Garden Bendigo and discover why families trust us to deliver a thoughtful, inclusive, and engaging kindergarten in Bendigo that supports every child’s individual growth and development.