Frequently asked Questions
Listed below are some of our most asked questions that may assist you. Please contact us or phone (03) 9842 3900 if you have other questions or queries that we can help you with.
Is the kindergarten program at DEDK as good as those in council kindergartens?
Absolutely! Our educators are skilled early childhood teachers qualified with a Bachelor of Education. The only difference is we are open for longer hours than council kindergartens and provide meals – very convenient for working parents.
What is provided by DEDK?
We provide nappies for children who are not yet toilet trained. We provide nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. We also cater for children with particular dietary needs.
What times can I drop off and pick up my child?
Our operating hours are between 7:00am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday.
Children can be dropped off and collected at any time within these operating hours.
We are closed all public holidays and during the period between Christmas and New Year.
What will my child need to wear?
We always recommend rough and tumble play clothes! Our children sometimes engage in ‘messy’ play, and as you can imagine, this is not good for their best outfit, but great fun for the children!
What will my child need to bring?
A backpack containing:
- at least two spare sets of clothing, especially during toilet training
- warm clothing for outdoor play (during cooler months)
- a sunhat.
Older children should also bring a water filled water bottle.
Please ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name!
Do I have to pay when my family goes away on holidays?
When your family is away on holidays, you may apply to utilise our holiday rates. There is no charge during the Christmas and New Year period when the Centre is closed.
What does a typical day look like at DEDK?
We run a flexible day based around some core focus times.
7:00am-8:30/9:00am: Arrival of children and family grouping. Unstructured activities/play.
8.30/9:00am: Age groups separated.
9:00am-5:30pm: Individual programmes/structured activities. Outdoor and indoor experiences. Rest times.
5:30pm-6:30pm: Family groupings/unstructured activities and play.
Mealtimes
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9.30am: Morning tea
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11:30/12.00pm: Lunch
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2.30/3.00pm: Afternoon tea
Are incursions and special events provided by DEDK?
Numerous special events and incursions are provided for children. There is no extra charge for these experiences.
Does DEDK have any connections within the community?
Our connections include the local council, primary schools and library. We regularly access to support from our Pre-School Field Officer and health professionals.
Is parental involvement welcome?
Absolutely! We value parental assistance in whatever form they may be able to offer. You may be able to speak with children about your line of work, e.g. you may be a nurse, a police officer, a firefighter, a scientist; or you might be able to help out with art and craft, sports or story reading.