::: centre road kindergarten
Centre Road Kindergarten on Centre Road, Bentleigh East …
was a bustling hive of activity when we arrived.
Children were having a lovely sensory time playing with animals in a tub of wheat. We loved their new mirror screen used to reflect their play.
More imaginative play was taking places with an Easter flavour which was ideal for one or two people.
The invention table was full on and fabulous …
as was the doll house area.
We liked how these two large flat trees in pots, decorated with bamboo …
were used to frame another delightful imaginative play centre.
Eventually these trees will be used to hold photos of the children.
All morning there were children busy at the peg boards and pyramid construction, positioned on two brand new tall, narrow tables where they could stand comfortably and play – what a great idea!
The library corner looked very cosy with the draped mosquito net, comfy couch and squishy cushions.
The home corner, adorned with furniture and dress ups, doubled as a restaurant …
with fresh roses from their very own rose garden to give it that homey feel …
along with a pile of multi cultural dolls whose bits and bobs were kept in easy reach on open shelving.
Here at ‘Center Road’ they even have a “Kinder Nanny”, one of their grandparents who helps out on a regularly basis and has become everybody’s nanny (even the staff’s we suspect!).
The staff and parent committee have been busy upgrading some of the equipment at the center …
hence all the lovely new timber tables, shelves and furniture.
In fact we saw some great ideas around the room like these trolleys to house different sized paper which made it very easy for the children to choose what they wanted to use and independently access it. The beauty of these trolleys is that they are kept in the room not hidden away in a cupboard where they would be inaccessible to the children!
Outside there were many large shade trees sheltering various parts of the yard, including a circle of chairs where the children enjoyed eating their snack.
They have a delightful cubby complete with flowering window boxes …
a wonderful rose garden …
even a fairy garden.
They have a large digging patch …
as well as a smaller mud play area in a separate part the yard.
We were impressed by the use of water bottles in their very large sandpit which wound its way around the side of the yard…
and the most popular piece of equipment – a boat tied up at a wharf!
‘Center Road’ exudes warmth with a dedicated staff …
providing a play based program for their two 4 year old and one 3 year old groups.
Centre Road Kindergarten is in the City of Glen Eira and is located at 850-852 Centre Road East Bentleigh (Melways reference 78 B 2).
This preshool has been added to our Education Directory page.
These tours always inspire me. Thanks for sharing them.
::: We’re so glad you enjoy them Scott … but truth be told I think Sherry and I are the lucky ones. It’s so nice to get out there and see what other teachers are up to and the lovely environments they are creating for their children!
This is so very lovely!!! Great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
::: It’s a beautiful kindergarten environment Annie … so glad you like it!
I am beginning to realize that Australia may lead the way in pre-school – your centres are fabulous & so airy & big. I only wish you were close enough to visit!
::: You know what Kierna? … We reckon they’re pretty darn terrific too and we want people to know it! Sherry and I have decided that if the powers that be won’t get out there and show the rest of the world how good they are then we’ll just have to do it for them!
Thanks so much for sharing these! I am a primary trained teacher who (once my children have all gone to school) is looking at getting into kinder teaching. There are so many ideas that I have been storing away in my memory of things I would love to see in my own kinder room some day.
Are you able to clarify for me what qualifications I will need to get to become either a 4 year old kinder teacher, a teacher of a 3 year old group or an assistant. I am currently 4 year trained as a primary teacher but have been on leave from teaching since my daughter was born 7 years ago. I also have two boys 4 and 3. Thanks so much in advance.
::: Jeanette it’s so good to hear that you are planning on moving up to kindergarten teaching! We will email you some information.
morning ladies…i really like the trees in the photos…can you tell me are they mdf with blackboard paint? and how are they anchored? love the idea ….lots of possibilities there! As im just about to move our pre-school these are truly inspirational pictures. Is there a reason for the material on the ceilings …it seems to be an ongoing theme…im just trying to work out how i could do it in my new hall.
::: Finleysmaid the trees are mdf and yes they are painted with blackboard paint. They are mounted on a length of timber and plastered or cemented into the pots. The fabric is just for decoration and to soften the effect of the high ceilings but you’re right a lot of settings that we have visited have had something similar.
Love all the beautiful new furniture, mirrored room dviders & shelving! We are looking at upgrading some of our furniture – they didn’t happen to mention which particular company they used?
::: It is beautiful Andrea. The company is in Melbourne. It’s called Man Made. http://www.manmadecreations.com.au/
wow – that is absolutely amazing!
that is exactly my perfect image of what a school should look like.
tucking these ideas away for when my dream becomes a reality – opening my own prek school. thank you!
::: Good luck with it Erica.
i keep noticing the patches of grass inside.
i’ll have to use that.
thanks for the beautiful images!
::: You’re welcome Kristin.
Oh, those trees. I love the trees. Now I need to find somebody who can cut some out for me from mdf.
::: They were rather cool Jenny!
Love the ideas they have….what a wonderful looking Centre. Thank you for sharing it with us!
::: You’re very welcome Pam.
The centre is like a dream… Just amazing! So bright and colourful! Love the comfy space for children to curl up and read their little books! Thanks for the tour.. Just spectacular!!
::: Yep, it’s a real beauty Renee … thank you!
I have just discovered this website..and what a find, so resourceful and inspiring ideas. There is nothing like visiting other preschools for inspiration. Thank you…. Time is often not on our side as preschool teachers to get out and see lots of services in action…this is wonderful.
::: Thank you Kerri and welcome on board. We’re thrilled to hear you like what you see!
Wow, I am being so inspired I love the photo trees I have been looking for a different way to display photos by the entrance door to my room. Those trees have me thinking…Thank you for sharing these centers I just wish my little room was as big. In WA we are in school settings and space is limited but luckily not our imaginations.
::: Ahhh … with imagination Gaylor there is no limit to what you can achieve … Thank goodness!
It is so valuable to view other learning environments. Thank you so much for the inspiration. Liz McCaw
::: We’re glad you enjoy visiting them Liz. Over the next few weeks we will be visitng lots more too!
Hi Nicole
Just following up with your printing enquiry that we discussed in January.
Can you please give Tracy Stone or myself a call at your convenience
Cheers
megan
hello ladies looking to enrol my 2yr old daughter for 2014
just wanting your help on what your hours of operation are if possible?
thanks
Pete
::: Pete thanks for your interest in Center Road, Kindergarten. You can contact the kinder on
(03) 9570 6103 and the wonderful staff there will be able to help you out.