Kallista Kindergarten

14/08/2026

This page shares fascinating historical posts about Australia.

Procoptodon was one of the largest kangaroos ever known to have lived in Australia. This extinct giant had a powerful body, short face, and unusually large hind feet. Some species could stand around 2–3 metres tall, making them an impressive part of Australia's prehistoric megafauna. Fossils and scientific reconstructions help researchers understand what these remarkable giant kangaroos may have looked like and how they lived.

14/08/2026

Parenting children with different needs is complicated. One child's window of tolerance might be much narrower, making standard routines overwhelming for them. This means fair doesn't always look equal. It is natural to feel guilty, but what matters most is that each child feels secure in their individual relationship with you. This week, try focusing on micro-moments of connection. These are tiny, intentional gestures like a special goodbye phrase or ten minutes of focused play. These small investments belong just to them, happen regularly, and are never tied to behaviour. They can significantly reduce competition for your attention.

14/08/2026

The amazing opportunities Book Time at the Library can bring…

Book Time is about so much more than simply listening to a story.

Through sharing books together, children are developing literacy, vocabulary, rhyme, an understanding of story structure and a love of language. But there is also so much social learning happening.

Children laugh together, share a joke, anticipate what might happen next and notice each other’s reactions. They learn how to participate as part of a group — sharing space, listening alongside others, responding together and beginning to understand and respect one another’s boundaries.

And the benefits extend beyond the children. Book Time creates a welcoming space for families to meet, connect and build relationships within their local community.

All of this learning and connection, simply through coming together around a great book. 📖❤️

📚✨ Stories, rhymes and plenty of fun are back!

Bookaburra is back this term with interactive sessions designed for children aged 0–5 years.

It’s a fun, free way to spend some time together while helping your child build early literacy skills and develop their language, social and emotional skills – all through the magic of stories and play.

No bookings needed, just come along and join the fun!

🌐 Find your nearest Bookaburra session on our website:
https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Explore-Yarra-Ranges/Events/Bookaburra-Storytime

14/08/2026

Our Kindergarten is in a council owned building.

We’re asking you to help shape the future of Council-owned kindergarten buildings across Yarra Ranges.

We’ve developed a Draft Kindergarten Asset Management Plan (KAMP), which will guide the long-term planning and maintenance of the 40 Council-owned buildings where kindergarten facilities currently operate.

The draft plan looks at things like building condition, accessibility, how buildings are being used, future demand and long-term sustainability. It will help us make informed decisions about future investment and ensure these community buildings remain safe, accessible, functional and financially sustainable for future generations.

We’d love to hear from you. Feedback closes on 13 September, 2026.

🌐 Find out more and have your say on our website: https://shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/KAMP

08/08/2026

When do children learn?
The answer is: through play.
When children are deeply engaged in building, negotiating, creating, wondering, experimenting and solving problems together, they are developing the very skills that underpin future learning—communication, self-regulation, creativity, persistence and critical thinking.
This recent article by play researcher Marc Armitage explores why genuine play-based learning sometimes looks very different from what adults expect, and why that's exactly the point.
https://www.marc-armitage.com/blog-archive/to-be-or-not-to-be-play-based_111s78

23/05/2026

I just listened to this piece and found it thought - provoking. From an early childhood perspective, the part that stood out was the mention of the importance of early allied health support. In our area, families face difficulties in accessing allied health support — particularly speech services.
This was not the main point of the podcast- the focus was that the gaps start early and continue to widen.
If an early childhood educator suggests your child needs allied health support- get in ASAP, as the waiting lists are long.

It’s like clockwork. Every March, countless parents, children and t...

23/04/2026

🌿 Enrolments are now open for 2027 🌿
We warmly invite you to visit our kindergarten and experience our integrated program for 3- and 4-year-old children.
Join us for our Open Day on Monday 18 May (9:30–11:30), or arrange a tour at another time.
✨ Reggio Emilia-inspired
✨ Nature Kindergarten program
To enrol or learn more, follow the link below:
https://forms.enrolnow.com.au/233409491257965?

22/02/2026

New research suggests children would rather play outside with friends than spend all their time on screens — a finding play research has highlighted for decades.

What’s striking is that many children aren’t choosing screens over outdoor play; their opportunities for independent play are often limited by adult concerns and restrictions. This shifts the conversation from preference to children’s freedom, autonomy, and right to play.

It’s also not an either/or debate — children want both digital play and outdoor experiences. The real question is how we create environments where both can exist in healthy balance.

How has children’s freedom to play changed since your own childhood?

https://www.aol.com/kids-dont-want-screens-want-210014791.html

A new poll finds that children crave real-world play with friends, not more screen time. But we’ve made that nearly impossible.

21/01/2026

The Shed is up!!! The mosaics are beautiful.

19/01/2026

What’s happening at Kallista Kindergarten these holidays?
After years of planning and dreaming (since our 2019 yard upgrade!), we’re thrilled to finally be bringing some exciting outdoor projects to life at Kallista Kindergarten.

A new slimline shed is being installed beside the bike track, complete with a pergola overhead and a water tank to collect rainwater from the roof. This will allow children to access water for play and investigations right where their learning unfolds outdoors. Bikes will now be stored close to the track for easier and more independent use, and new single-level shelving will support children to clearly see and choose outdoor resources.
We are also creating a new pathway leading down to the bike track, proudly incorporating mosaic pieces that were lovingly made by children and families over past years and have been waiting patiently for their permanent place in our yard.

On the other side of the shed, we’ve removed over a decade’s worth of sand to form a flat and inviting new space. A bamboo screen has been installed to create visual unity and a sense of enclosure, and we will soon be adding den-making posts inspired by the children’s strong interest in loose-parts, and cubby building. This area will also be used for pulley explorations and collaborative construction.

As we continue shaping these spaces, we are reaching out to our local community for support. We are seeking donations of:
• Hardy native plants
• Rocks of varying sizes for natural edging along the new pathway
• Plants to create greenery and separation near the sandpit
• Ground-cover style natives suitable for small-world play areas
These natural materials will help us define new play zones, soften pathways, create sensory spaces and extend opportunities for imaginative and nature-based learning.

If you or your business are able to contribute in any way, we would be incredibly grateful. Community generosity has always been at the heart of our environment, and your support helps us create rich and inspiring spaces for children to explore.

Please feel free to contact the kindergarten via email if you’re able to assist.
Thank you for supporting Kallista Kindergarten and our children 🌱