Kindergarten at Sakura Early Learning Centre, Prahran
Hana is our kindergarten room for children from three to six. Our Early Childhood Teacher leads a play-based program that builds the confidence, curiosity and independence children take with them to school.
Hana · 3 – 6 years
Hana is our kindergarten room. Our Early Childhood Teacher leads a stimulating, play-based program that builds the confidence, curiosity and independence children take with them to school.
- Group time each morning, starting with an Acknowledgement of Country, to share news and plan the day together
- Small-group learning on children's interests, with early literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and social skills woven through play
- Relaxation and mindfulness after lunch, which may include yoga, soft music or stories
- Self-help skills: serving meals, packing bags and caring for belongings
- School readiness and a Transition Learning and Development Statement for every child starting school
Free Kinder in long day care
Free Kinder is a Victorian Government program that saves families money on kindergarten. In long day care, the government pays the centre a set amount for each child in a funded kindergarten program led by a qualified teacher, and the centre passes all of it on to families as a fee reduction.
Sakura has applied to offer a funded kindergarten program with Free Kinder from 2027. We will let families know as soon as it is approved. Once it is, eligible three- and four-year-olds in our Hana kindergarten program will receive the Free Kinder offset on their fees.
- Every family is eligible. You don't need a Health Care Card, CCS eligibility or proof of citizenship or address.
- One service only. A child can receive Free Kinder at one service at a time, and you sign a declaration naming that service.
- It comes after CCS. The offset is taken off your fees after the Child Care Subsidy, so it never reduces your CCS.
- You see it on your statement, labelled "Victorian Government Free Kinder offset", applied weekly from Term 1.
Sources: vic.gov.au/free-kinder · Best Start, Best Life
How much is the offset?
The 2026 amounts for long day care are below. The Victorian Government publishes 2027 amounts later in the year, and we will update this page when it does.
| Program | Offset per year |
|---|---|
| Four-Year-Old Kinder (15 hours a week) | $2,101 |
| Three-Year-Old Kinder (5 to 15 hours a week) | $700.33 to $2,101, depending on hours |
Three-Year-Old Kinder
Victoria funds kindergarten for three-year-olds as well as four-year-olds. Three-year-olds currently receive 5 to 15 hours a week, rising to 15 hours a week statewide by 2029.
Pre-Prep
More hours of Four-Year-Old Kinder ("Pre-Prep", up to 30 hours a week) is rolling out across Victoria and reaches metropolitan Melbourne, including Stonnington, from 2034. Some priority groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from refugee backgrounds, can already access more hours.
Ready, confident and excited for school
Transitions, whether from room to room, or from Sakura to school, are planned with families so children feel secure at every step.
- Room transitions are gradual, with visits to the new room before the move
- The kindergarten program builds the independence, communication and social skills that help children settle at school
- We prepare a Transition Learning and Development Statement (TLDS) for each child starting school, shared with you and your child's school
- We celebrate the end of the kindergarten year with a graduation for children heading to school
Stay connected with OWNA
Every family gets access to the OWNA app, where you can see:
- daily snapshots with photos of your child's day
- individual learning observations and summative assessments
- stories from cultural celebrations and community events
- the weekly menu and centre news
You can also message your child's room and comment on stories. Parents sign children in and out on the OWNA kiosk at the front desk.
We'd love to meet your family
Book a tour to see the rooms, meet our educators and talk about your child.