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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Gardiner Pre-School

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Glen Iris, VIC
Gardiner Pre-School

A community run, not for profit kinder in Melbourne's inner East, where children are encouraged to question, enquire and wonder about the world around them.

Set on a bluestone laneway, Gardiner is one of Glen Iris' most sought after kinders.

31/12/2025

As we farewell 2025, we want to wish all our families, past and present and all our wonderful followers a very Happy and Safe New Year. May 2026 be a good one for you all🥰

16/12/2025

~ GARDINER PRESCHOOL GARAGE SALE ~ 2nd DAY
WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2025

We had a successful first day of our garage sale and we go again today.

THIS MORNING: Everything will be discounted further and there are still some decent buys there, so get down early so you don't miss out.

FROM 1.00-3.00pm: On anything that is still here, we invite you to make us an offer. We want everything gone, so no reasonable offer will be refused.

12/12/2025

~ GARAGE SALE ~
Gardiner Preschool
10 St Andrews Lane, Glen Iris, 3134
Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th December
9am - 3pm

EVERYTHING MUST GO! We still have a lot of resources, furniture and toys available for sale at give away prices. Come down and have a look around to see if there is anything that you may like. The pictures are an example of what is available but there is much more as well. Share and tell your friends if you think they'd be interested.

PICK UP IS ON THE DAY YOU COME, so if you're going for big items, come prepared with room in your car or a trailer on the back :-) We cannot hold items.

See you there!

10/12/2025

This week, after 82 wonderful years, our beloved Kinder, Gardiner Preschool, will close its doors for the final time. As heartbroken as we are, it is with full hearts and so much gratitude that we say goodbye to a place that has been filled with laughter, learning, friendships and countless cherished memories.

To all of our families, past and present, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your children, for walking alongside us and for being such an important part of our Kinder family. Each of you has helped shape the spirit of this special place and we are forever grateful.

While our doors may be closing, the memories, friendships and joy shared within these walls will live on in every child, educator and family who has been part of our story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for 82 beautiful years. 💛🌼

03/10/2025

We hope all our families have had a safe and enjoyable break.

Just a reminder that Term 4 begins on Monday. We look forward to seeing the children again, hearing their stories and making our last term together a memorable one❤️

19/09/2025

We wish all our families a safe and enjoyable term break. If you're travelling, safe travels and we look forward to hearing the stories when we are back.

15/09/2025

After more than 80 years of serving the children and families of Glen Iris, we are heartbroken to share that we have had to make the decision to close our doors and we will not be operating in 2026. We are deeply grateful to the generations of families who have been part of our community and made our preschool such a special place.

05/09/2025

We have been enjoying experimenting with a pulley system where children transfer objects from one place to another via a pulley system.

Exploring a pulley system in early childhood offers children a hands-on way to experiment with cause and effect while building problem-solving and critical thinking skills. As they lift, lower, and move objects, children strengthen their fine and gross motor development, coordination and spatial awareness. Working together with peers promotes communication, cooperation and turn-taking, while their curiosity and persistence foster early STEM learning. Pulley play not only sparks joy and wonder but also supports physical, cognitive and social development all at once!

Details in the link in our bio and stories as to how you can raise your voices and help save Gardiner Preschool.

27/08/2025

At Gardiner, play-based learning is at the heart of everything we do. Children are given the time and space to explore with their senses, use their creativity to problem-solve and make sense of the world around them. Through play, they develop confidence, independence and the social and emotional skills that will support them well beyond kindergarten. Every day play nurtures the foundations for learning, growth and a lifelong love of discovery.

See the link in our bio and stories for details to send a letter and tell Lizzie Blandthorn Jacinta Allan Ben Carroll MP Senator Jess Walsh Jason Clare that it’s time to invest in not for profit, sessional kindergartens and help save Gardiner Preschool.

25/08/2025

Community-run, not-for-profit sessional kindergarten offers a special experience for children and families, with a strong focus on education, relationships and community. It’s a place where children can be creative, explore their world and discover the magic in everyday moments.

With the same group of peers and teachers each day, children build lasting friendships and secure, trusting relationships that nurture a strong sense of belonging. Families also benefit from shared drop-off and pick-up times, which naturally foster connections and supportive social networks. Sessional kindergarten is where children and families grow, learn and thrive together.

See the link in our bio and stories for details to send a letter and tell Lizzie Blandthorn Jacinta Allan Ben Carroll MP Senator Jess Walsh Jason Clare that it’s time to invest in not for profit, sessional kindergartens and help save Gardiner Preschool.

18/08/2025

Playdough is a favourite activity for many children, both at home and at kindergarten. But did you know it’s more than just fun? Playing with playdough helps strengthen the small muscles in children’s hands, building the grip, control, and coordination needed to hold a pencil. Rolling, squishing, and shaping the dough is a fantastic, play-based way to support fine motor development and early writing skills.

We call on Lizzie Blandthorn Jacinta Allan Senator Jess Walsh Dr. Carina Garland Member for Chisholm Jason Clare Ben Carroll MP and the Uniting Church Victoria & Tasmania to work with us and Stonnington City Council Jamie Bell for Stonnington to ensure our not-for-profit remains open and operating. To write a letter, head to the link in our bio and stories for details and templates.

07/08/2025

A question we’re often asked by parents is, “What does school readiness really mean?” or “How do I know if my child is ready for school?” While early literacy and numeracy skills are important, the traditional 3 R’s — reading, writing, and arithmetic — have evolved.

At Gardiner, we place greater value on three of the modern R’s: Relationships, Resilience, and Regulation. These areas are key to supporting a child’s social and emotional wellbeing. When children develop confidence in these, they build a strong foundation for the learning to come.

We love supporting your children's journey to school so we need your help to call on, and write to Lizzie Blandthorn Jacinta Allan Ben Carroll MP Senator Jess Walsh Jason Clare Stonnington City Council Jamie Bell for Stonnington and Uniting Church Victoria & Tasmania and ask them to work together to ensure Gardiner's survival. Details at link in bio and Stories.

Address

10 Saint Andrews Lane
Glen Iris, VIC
3146

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.gardiner.vic.edu.au/saveourkinder

Alerts

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