Butterfield House Kindergarten

Surrounded by bush and with an abundance of open space our students become knowledgeable about the natural world. Through play-based learning, we encourage them to think about the small and big things we can do to take care of their local environment and our planet.

Butterfield House Handbook

With thoughtful planning we have been able to create a centre with high quality physical spaces, including blending indoors and outdoors, ample natural light, a heavy emphasis on the use of natural materials, and the development of imaginative gardens and outdoor discovery areas.

We often speak of the power of connection…

– The connections between children, families, and trusted educators

– The connections between children

– The connections with programs that are meaningful and link purposefully with the evident developmental needs of our preschoolers

– The connections to our world through an intentional pedagogy that recognises the importance of nature and our responsibilities toward planet earth.

As the very first point of connection into a potentially ongoing pathway, at the Surf Coast Campus, it is so important to us that all families immediately sense the shared Christian ethos that IS Christian College. An interest in each family and how we can best support their needs, a determination to be inclusive and a physical space that is beautiful, functional, and welcoming are high on our priorities.

Prekinder is a gentle first step into a program which has its unique routines relevant to our youngest members, and a set cohort of peers and educators that journey with the children throughout their Prekinder year. Over this time, children learn to identify as part of a group, they develop increased autonomy and a capacity to engage with each other through play and exploration.

Preschool builds on the Prekinder foundation. It introduces children to more complex ways of contributing to their own learning, to a developing sense of agency and to increased mastery across all developmental areas. Additionally we collaborate with the Junior Schools at each Christian College Campus to offer Music, Japanese and Library to this stage of our programs.

Our day care program is the lynch pin. With access to the same resources and environments, and with a team that are intentional about maintaining the same high standard of our sessional programs, our child care program has been elevated to a high standard indeed. The part this team plays at the service underpins the shared investment by all educators into each of our children, across all groups, and all learning environments.

Enrolments

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Some of what we offer

Daycare

We offer full and half day options for 3 to 5 year olds. Group numbers are typically small and all our educators are highly qualified and experienced. Children have full access to all our resources and thoughtfully designed spaces.

Bush Kinder

One of the first schools to introduce Bush Kinder in the region, Christian College recently added Beach Kinder to the program. Proven to develop fine and large motor muscles, our students also get to know planet earth, to love it and begin to learn what they can do to protect it.

Preschool

In the year before Junior school, we challenge and expand key skills across all developmental areas. Specialist subjects such as Music, Japanese and Library are introduced. Within the context of play, we integrate indoor and outdoor activities within the “flow” of daily routines.