Harbard Street Kindergarten

Welcome to Harbard Street Kindergarten, located at Thomastown, Gladstone Street, 1 in Australia. As part of Sparkways (formerly known as TRY Australia), we have been empowering and inspiring Melbourne's children and young people since 1883. Our institution is not just an establishment or a point of interest, but a school dedicated to supporting and empowering young minds through meaningful connections.

At Harbard St Kindergarten, we believe in the power of collaboration and creating an environment that encourages and enhances each child's learning. Our program is guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, ensuring that we provide a comprehensive educational experience that emerges from the interests, passions, and interactions of the children who attend.

We understand the importance of working in partnership with families and educators to promote learning in young children. We strive to meet the needs of families and respect their values, fostering a sense of belonging and support for all.

Our indoor space is a dynamic and ever-changing environment. Every term, our educators transform the layout of the room to add an element of excitement. We provide various learning spaces, including a cozy library area with a big comfy couch, tables, chairs, rugs, mats, cushions, and even a bed to cater to different learning styles. Our program evolves every two weeks based on observations of the children and their interests.

One unique feature of Harbard St Kindergarten is our pet lizard, Popcorn. Popcorn loves looking at the children and becomes grumpy when they're not around during school holidays. This furry friend adds an extra touch of joy and connection to our learning environment.

Our outdoor space is a wonderland for exploration and imagination. With a perfect blend of natural and built elements, we have beautiful established trees that provide shade and inspire creative play with leaves and small sticks. We also have a cubby house, sand pit, swing area, bikes, scooters, a basketball ring, and even water play options to beat the heat.

Children build their understanding of the world through interactions with others and their environment. Our educational program is guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework For Australia, ensuring a holistic approach to learning and development.

We offer various group options for three-year-olds, with different schedules to accommodate families' needs. The Victorian Government provides funding to support access to high-quality kindergarten programs for children in the two years before they start school. Starting from 2023, these programs will be free for three and four-year-old children, providing financial relief for families.

Our curriculum is play-based and draws on socio-cultural theories of learning and teaching. Skilled educators intentionally plan experiences that reflect the National Early Years Learning Frameworks, taking into account individual children's learning styles, interests, and families.

We respect that each child is unique and develops at their own pace. We encourage families to begin toilet training and offer support to promote positive outcomes. Accidents happen occasionally, but our educators handle them sensitively and discretely. We ask families to keep a complete change of clothes in their child's bag, especially for water play outside.

As a sun-safe organization, we provide child-friendly sunscreen, but if your child has sensitive skin, you are welcome to provide your preferred brand.

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, as well as Elders past and present. We celebrate diversity and value the lived experiences of people from all backgrounds, embracing every ethnicity, faith, age, disability, culture, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Join us at Harbard Street Kindergarten, where we strive to empower, inspire, and create a nurturing environment for Victoria's children and young people.