Our Approach
Kindergarten is a place where your child will participate in play based activities, develop friendships with their own age group and be encouraged to explore and experiment with different materials.
Our kindergarten programs provide children with opportunities to learn about themselves, other people and the world around them.
We believe in the importance of imparting a sense of confidence as well as a sense of joy and wonder in life and learning.
We view our roles as educators, facilitating and guiding each child’s interest and extending his or her exploration of life. We offer an inclusive environment at Ave Maria supporting the varying developmental levels and learning needs of individuals.
Kindergarten provides an environment that is play orientated. A play orientated program enables children the freedom to express themselves in their own way and to approach each experience at their own level. As a result children develop a multitude of skills, concepts, understandings and attitudes. Play encourages children to realise how thought, reasoning and imagination creates consistent interactions between things. As early childhood educators we believe play is an intrinsic part of early childhood education.
We hope your family enjoys the year ahead and we look forward to sharing this special and exciting time in your child’s life.
Centre Management
Ave Maria Kindergarten is a stand alone kindergarten with no affiliation with Moonee Valley City Council.
Ave Maria Kindergarten is a non-denominational kindergarten which is not affiliated with any particular school or parish.
We are learning Mandarin!
Our kindergarten participates in the Victorian Department of Education’s Early Childhood Language Program.
There are many benefits to learning another language at a young age, including helping children think, explore, and problem-solve, and supporting their reading and pre-writing learning.
Kinder Tick
The Victorian Government is making it easier for families to find funded and approved kindergarten programs.
For kinder you can count on, just look for the Kinder Tick.
SunSmart
The kindergarten has a “Sun Protection” policy. This policy states that children are required to wear a sunhat and sunscreen from the beginning of September until the end of April. Parents are to apply SPF50+to their child before attending kindergarten. The staff will make every effort to protect the children from sun exposure including planning activities outside in shaded areas.
Child Safe Standards
Keeping Children Safe is Everyone’s Responsibility
Our Commitment
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Ave Maria Kindergarten is a phone-free zone during kinder sessions. We kindly ask families and visitors to keep phones away during session time, events and fundraising activities.
Staff only use personal phones for authorised purposes such as emergencies, health matters or when they are not providing education and care directly with children.
Photographs of children are taken on service devices only and stored securely according to privacy policies and are deleted.
Identifiable images of children’s faces are not posted on websites or social media without parental consent, supporting our Child Safe and eSafety practices.
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All educators complete Mandatory Reporting and Other Obligations training every year.
Staff maintain current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis training.
The Child Safe Standards are regularly discussed at staff and Committee of Management meetings.
Policies relating to child safety and wellbeing are reviewed regularly.
Families and visitors are asked to read and follow our Code of Conduct.
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Ave Maria Kindergarten follows rigorous recruitment processes, including interviews and reference checks.
All educators hold a Working with Children Check or VIT registration.
Volunteers and visitors must hold a Working with Children Check.
All staff, students and volunteers receive a Child Safe induction.
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We empower children to learn about body safety, trusted adults and speaking up.
Children are encouraged to express their feelings and know that their voices are important.
Safety concepts are embedded through stories, discussions and play.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are valued and embedded within our program.
We partner with families to build a strong culture of child safety.
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Staff and visitors are never alone with children — visibility and shared supervision are always ensured.
Families sign children in and out daily.
Clear procedures exist to respond to and report concerns about child safety.
Ave Maria Kindergarten maintains a complaints and compliments register.
The safety, dignity and wellbeing of children guide everything we do.
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We promote a “See it, Say it” culture, where staff feel safe to raise concerns.
Our community celebrates diversity, culture and inclusion.
Educators take a proactive approach to child safety and wellbeing.
