Home
St Anthony’s Kindergarten

St Anthony’s Kindergarten

Kindergarten

8:30am - 2:45pm

Conveniently located at St Anthony’s Primary School, your child will benefit from our close relationship with the school. Our children make weekly visits to the school library to borrow books and your child will be given responsibility for caring for and returning these books. They also enjoy visits with their grade four reading buddies, visits to the prep classrooms and playgrounds and attending school events including sports carnivals, book week and liturgies. During each visit your child will become more familiar with the school grounds and and learn practical new skills, like how to use the water bubblers. Our educators will watch your child’s confidence grow as they become part of our broader school and parish community and prepare for prep.

At St Anthony’s we have expansive natural outdoor play areas which provide children with a unique learning environment that encourages creativity and exploration. We believe each child is unique and learns differently. Our educators will spend time getting to know your child and family so that they can create engaging learning experiences that capture their interest and help them build new skills.

We offer a Queensland Government approved kindergarten program taught by a university qualified early childhood teacher. As a sessional kindergarten children complete a five-day fortnight, during school hours and school terms.

St Anthony's Drive
Alexandra Hills QLD 4161

07 3824 5061

[email protected]
catholicearlyedcare.qld.edu.au

Meet Our Staff

Paul Carrick

Kindergarten Teacher Director

I’ve been an early ed director:
At St Anthony’s for 8 years and a teacher for 23 years.
My favourite thing about being an early ed director is:
The endless opportunities to engage and inspire learning in the early years of a child’s life.
Something I like to tell all mums and dads is:
Kindergarten is an opportunity to learn, grow and discover in an environment where play is a fundamental component of the day.
My favourite way to relax is:
To find a quiet space just to be.

Heather McRae

Kindergarten Assistant

I’ve been an early ed assistant for:
5 years at St Anthony’s and an educator for 24 years.
My favourite thing about being an early ed assistant is:
Spending time educating children about our environment and animals and engaging children in singing sessions and the exploration of basic signing.
Something I like to tell all mums and dads is:
Kindergarten is the first step in your child’s schooling journey we will support and nurture them during these early stages of their journey.
My favourite way to relax is:
Camping, bush walking, fishing and spending time with nature.

Quiet reflection and special thoughts

We have fashioned our prayer table to provide a place for quiet reflection and sending special thoughts. If a child seems out of sorts, restless, unwell or upset we might ask them if they want to go to the prayer table and spend some time by themselves. If we know they are dealing with a difficult family event we ask them if they would like to send a special thought to someone. One of the first things we do each morning is gather together at the prayer table for quiet reflection. Children are encouraged to participate in this experience in their own way based on their personal and family traditions and how they are feeling that day.

Creative play in nature

Immersing children in their natural environment is a significant part of our program at St Anthony’s. Children use our outdoor environment to bring their roll play and story telling to life. This has included re-enacting their camping experiences from the school holidays and building campfires in the bush land and at other times making meals in the mud kitchen and serving them in the garden cafe.

"Our kindergarten offers an amazing program which helps with the transition to prep and I have been beyond impressed with all aspects of the centre. I love the interaction that the kindergarten has with the school including visits to the church, library and prep."

Gabrielle, St Anthony’s Kindergarten

Tending our gardens

In our outdoor play environment children foster a connection to the natural world building their own vegetable gardens. The children select a range of fruits and vegetables to plant in the garden and care for throughout the year. At different times they harvest their crops to share or to start new crops. Through these experiences the children begin to understand where our food comes from and the importance of caring for our environment.

Challenging children in play

St Anthony's teacher Paul uses play to challenge children and develop their self-confidence. He explains that when children are at play they feel supported and are less likely to fear failure. By helping the children set up an obstacle course to guide the ball through, Paul is helping to build their motor skills in a fun and comfortable environment, helping their confidence to grow.

"We have had two daughters attend St Anthony’s Kindergarten over the past three years and I have always found the centre and staff to be outstanding. This is a wonderful kindergarten and the kids receive the best education, love and care they can get before they start school. We would highly recommend St Anthony’s Kindergarten to anyone."

Michelle and David, St Anthony's Kindergarten

St Anthony’s Kindergarten

Kindergarten