Kindergarten 
Children who attend 3 or 4-year-old Kindergarten receive a saving of $2050 in fees for the year. Speak to one of our management team to find out more. Enrolments are now open for 2025.
Educational Program
At Cheeky Clouds Kindergarten, we believe in the importance of children being consulted in all matters that affect them, this includes their education and development. Our curriculum is based upon providing an environment that supports the whole child and empowers children to be co-constructors in their learning. Our Kindergarten teacher and educators draw upon diverse teaching styles, knowledge and experiences to deliver a high-quality curriculum that is driven by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLF).
Our inquiry-based approach to children’s development provides the opportunity for sustained learning through a hands-on approach, this process of learning provides children with practical experiences that encourage children to construct their own knowledge through investigation, problem-solving and discovery.
Community
Our Kindergarten values the importance of community, we understand that children will thrive when families and teachers work in partnership. Families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s learning, the level of participation within our program will vary depending on each family’s circumstances. Throughout the year we also offer regular parent-teacher meetings to discuss your child’s learning and development.
The wider community is an important aspect of our curriculums as children are provided with regular opportunities to strengthen their connection to community and broaden their understanding of the diverse world around them, this includes but is not limited to:
- Bush Kinder at the You Yangs regional park during terms one and four
- Cooking classes with weekly visits to the supermarket and local grocer in terms two and three
- Regular community walks
- Visits to PetStock and the vet for the ongoing care of our centre animals
- Library visits
Transition to school
Cheeky Clouds understands that the transition to school can be an emotional time for both children and families, throughout the year we aim to support children and their families in a multitude of ways to ensure that by the end of the children’s kindergarten year, they have the confidence in moving forward to school and that the transition is a happy and easy time for all involved.
The foundation of our curriculum is developed on supporting children’s school readiness, this can include children’s social and emotional capacity, independence, language development, physical well-being and early literacy skills.
During term four our Kinder supports the transition to school process through our connections with local primary schools, children are provided with opportunities to visit our local schools to engage in a range of programs. The addition of lunch box days is also a focus during term four, our service provides children with their own lunch boxes and a school-packed lunch, or lunch order days where children can order canteen lunches from our kitchen.
Before your child commences school, our teacher will work in partnership with children, families, and schools to develop a Transition Learning and Development Statement, this is a summary of your child’s learning, development, and interests to ensure that your child’s school can continue to support your child in the best possible way.
Meet Our Teacher 
My name is Chantal and I am the Kindergarten teacher at Cheeky Clouds Corio. I believe that children are best supported for their education in the early years through a holistic approach that understands the child as a whole; physical, mental, cultural, and family connections. Developing a curriculum that prepares children for the future entails creating learning environments that support safety, relationships, whole-world learning, and learning through doing and experiencing.
Bush Kinder
Going Back to Nature with Bush Kinder
We’re excited to announce that the children at Cheeky Clouds Corio are getting back to nature with our Bush Kinder program. This program gives children an opportunity to reconnect with the land in a completely natural environment, away from the distractions of toys and play equipment. This helps them to develop an appreciation of Australia’s natural beauty while teaching the importance of maintaining the environment.
During terms one and four our Cheeky Clouds Kindergarteners will venture to the You Yangs National Park where they will be immersed in a rich environment. Bush Kinder runs during a range of weather conidtions, providing children with a wide range of opportunities to fully explore the natural benifits of the environment.
What are the learning benefits of Bush Kinder?
There are many benefits of children spending time outdoors, including increased health and well-being, language and social development along with improved cognitive thinking skills and social development.
Exploring the natural environment encourages children to be imaginative, without prompts from resources or classroom surroundings. Through nature, classroom learning concepts are also explored, including mathematical and science concepts, storytelling, art and creativity, and dramatic play. It also promotes opportunities for uninterrupted blocks of time where children are free to learn at their own pace.
One of the key learning benefits is children getting acquainted with our native flora and fauna such as the unique texture and look of our national plants and flowers, as well as learning their individual names. The natural world holds true elements of surprise and delight.
At Cheeky Clouds, we acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land, the Wadawurrung peoples, and their knowledge of learning. Our Bush Kinder program is guided by the Aboriginal 8 ways pedagogy framework which includes learning through the land and nature. This encourages children to develop an understanding of the importance of not taking things out of their natural environment or disturbing habitats.
Being free to roam in the natural world encourages children to take risks and build their self-confidence. These activities might include constructing forts from fallen tree branches, climbing rocks and trees, cooking on a campfire or jumping in muddy puddles.
What does it teach children about the environment?
Exploring the great outdoors offers children the opportunity for organic interaction and the discovery of new and fascinating elements.
As the children explore, they are introduced to a range of flora and fauna they might not experience in a domestic backyard such as large trees, plants, shrubs, blossoms, insects, wildlife, types of rock and underlying terrain. This kind of discovery leads to curiosity and inquiry questions that contribute to a wider understanding of ecological systems, geology, habitats, life cycles and conservation.
Being unsheltered also exposes children to natural weather patterns and their effects on the world around them. This plays a part in how they begin to comprehend phenomena such as drought and flooding.
If you have questions about our Bush Kinder program or you would like to enrol your child so they too can experience getting back to nature with us, call or email us.
