Kindergarten
Integrated Kindergarten Programs
A Flying Start at Gowrie SA
Did you know that 15 hours of quality kindergarten a week is recommended for a great start to school?
Gowrie SA offers a Flying Start for children’s transition to school, and since 2026 we have partnered with Office for Early Childhood Development as a Flying Start funded kindergarten site.
Our integrated kindergartens support your child’s education and learning through high-quality programs led by degree qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
Two years before a child’s expected school start, they are eligible to access 15 hours per week of Flying Start kindergarten – and for continuity and peace of mind, all this takes is to join our integrated kindergarten room and access a minimum of two days per week (See Enrolments for further information).
We offer a variety of session options to cater for families’ needs and adhere to the same requirements as a stand-alone Department for Education kindergarten.
Three years and beyond...
Come for the village and stay for the school readiness!
-Three-year-olds in our integrated kindergarten rooms are eligible to access 2-5 days per week of Flying Start funded kindergarten.
-Four-year-olds in our integrated kindergartens are eligible to access 2-5 days per week of Flying Start funded kindergarten
-Four-year-olds are eligible for reduced fee sessions
(See Enrolments for further information).
Continuing at Gowrie SA for kindergarten reduces the number of transitions prior to school – as we know that continuity, predictability and emotional safety supports children’s learning and wellbeing.
You and your child will feel comfortable knowing they can extend their learning in a familiar environment with established relationships, within our supportive Primary Caregiving model.
Close relationships are formed between families and their child’s primary caregiver as a result of minimal transitioning of children during their time at Gowrie SA.
Your child will look forward to adding to their Learning Portfolio with the many and varied learning experiences and shared research they conduct each day in kindergarten.
What makes us a unique kindergarten provider?
Our philosophy is one of inclusion and planning for the individual child
We use the Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Curriculum to make informed decisions about how to extend the next stage of your child’s learning
We lay the foundations of school readiness in a holistic, child-centred manner – we know this can and does look different for each child, so we work in partnership with you to map out a learning pathway that suits your child best.
Our practice is informed by educational theory and pedagogies such as nature play, slow pedagogies, Reggio Emilia principles, inquiry-based approaches, socio-cultural theories, growth mindset, and developmental theories.
Degree-qualified Early Childhood Teachers plan and deliver each kindergarten session in a way that feels effortless and exciting for children.
Expect to see cooking, arts experiences, gardening, engineering and science challenges, excursions, visits from community experts, live theatre performances, music and extracurricular enrichment.
Reconciliation and Kaurna language learning with our local Elders is a key component of our programs.
Our Kindergartens have embedded River Kindy and Bush Kindy programs. These programs are a much–loved tradition and rite of passage for our Gowrie SA school leavers – excitement fills the air on these mornings and will have you wanting to join us for our adventures in nature!
In their final term before school, children receive a Statement of Learning and Learning Journey Book to document and celebrate their year of learning in kindergarten – and the capable learner they have become.
