Our Purpose
To empower children and their families to grow and develop positively, from the early years and beyond.
Helpful information for parents & carers
Downloadable information to help you get your child kinder ready!
Kids First Early Years Enrolment Info Pack 2024
Our Early Years Education Program™ - Kindergarten Model
At Kids First we know that you want to choose the best kindergarten for your child. In order to do that, you need a kindergarten that will tick all the boxes, across your child’s social, emotional, and educational needs.
The problem is most services will cover one, or maybe two of those areas (if you are lucky). And that can leave you feeling a little unsure about the value to your child. Research shows that the first few years are the most critical in a child’s development to set them up for success.
We understand children and dedicate all our efforts to seeing them thrive. In fact, independent research, the first of its kind in Australia, shows our unique early years model leads to great outcomes for children. Socially and emotionally, as well as supporting their ability to learn.
All our kindergartens are based on our model. Our amazing educators are highly qualified and give each child the time, care, and attention they need. As you can imagine, they put kids first! Rest assured your child will be set up to thrive.
Early Years Education Program™ - Kindergarten Model Evaluation
In a partnership commencing in 2021 with Murdoch Children's Research Institute, we will evaluate its effectiveness.
Free Kinder in 2023
All Kids First kinders are participating in the free three- and four-year-old kinder in 2023.
Free Kinder means more Victorian children can have the best start in life, no matter where they live:
For three-year-olds, this means from 5 and up to 15 hours per week of a kindergarten program
For four-year-olds, this means 15 hours per week (600 hours a year)
Free Kinder means a saving of up to $2,500 per child, each year, and also means more than 28,000 Victorians can return to work, including almost 26,600 of which are women.
(Source: Victorian Government 2023)
ACCREDITED EARLY YEARS MANAGER
A Proud Early Years Manager
Kids First is recognised by the Department of Education and Training as an accredited Early Years Manager. This means we are recognised for our expertise in the delivery of high quality early childhood education and care services.
ACCREDITED EARLY YEARS MANAGER
The Kinder Tick
All of our Early Years kinders use the Kinder Tick as we are an approved provider of a Victorian Government funded kindergarten program. That means your child is taking part in an evidence-informed, play-based learning program that meets government guidelines. Research shows the pre-school years are critical when it comes to supporting learning and development — and that the right support at these ages can help benefit children into their school years and beyond.
Trauma-Informed Training and Consultancy for Educators
In addition to our own centres, we train early years educators as part of our School Readiness training and consultancy packages. Educators are equipped with the tools they need to support children’s social and emotional needs before they transition to school.
Meet our Early Years Management team
We are on the hunt for Early Years Educators!
A career that changes young lives. A workplace that supports your professional development. A job you'll love.
Visit our Careers page to see the most up-to-date job vacancies at our Early Years Centers.
A look at the numbers
It’s clear to see how much the staff care about our kids and the future adults they will grow up to be.”