Navigating the world of early childhood education can be a daunting task for any parent and selecting the right program for your child can seem like a difficult decision. When it comes to choosing a Kindergarten program there are two prominent choices: Long Day Care with an integrated Kindergarten program and a Standalone Kindergarten. While both programs aim to foster a child’s development and lay the foundation for their future academic success, they differ in their approach and structure. To help you make an informed decision that aligns with your child’s needs and preferences, let’s explore the key distinctions between these two options.
Long Day Care Kindergarten Program
Our Services:
Simply Sunshine Early Education provides high quality early childhood education and care for children and families of the Moranbah community. We cater for children aged from birth to five years, including a Queensland Government Approved Kindergarten program, to give our Kindergarten Children the best start to formal schooling.
Days and Hours:
Flexibility is a key feature here, as our centres operate for extended hours in comparison with a standalone Kindergarten – we are open from 06:00-6:00pm.
Fees:
For families enrolled in Long Day Care services, the Kindergarten program is often covered by government funding, offering free Kindergarten education. Families may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for additional hours beyond the Kindergarten program.
Extra Programs:
We offer additional enriching incursion and excursion programs like sports, dance and community engagement activities, enhancing the overall learning experience for children.
Teachers and Educators:
Children benefit from the guidance of a Bachelor qualified teacher, supported by Cert III or Diploma qualified educators.
Curriculum:
Aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, we aim to foster a love of learning, following interests and extending knowledge through play-based education and intentional teaching allows children to experience structured and spontaneous play developing each child’s physical, emotional, social, sensory and cognitive development.
Standalone Kindergarten
Days and Hours:
These programs usually operate on fixed and shorter schedules, typically 15 hours per week, catering specifically to the Kindergarten curriculum.
School Holidays:
Standalone Kindergartens often close during school holidays.
Fees:
While the Kindergarten program itself may be free due to centre funding, families may participate in fundraising activities to support additional programs and resources.
Extra Programs:
Additional programs or activities are not commonly offered within Standalone Kindergarten setups.
Meals:
Families usually need to provide meals for their children attending Standalone Kindergartens.
Teachers and Educators:
Similar to Long Day Care centres, Standalone Kindergartens employ Bachelor qualified teachers along with Cert III or Diploma qualified educators.
Curriculum:
Aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, the focus remains on delivering a high-quality educational experience.
Families:
Standalone Kindergartens often cater to a specific age group, potentially limiting options for families with children of varying ages.
Both long day care and standalone kindy offer quality education aligned with the Queensland Government Learning Guidelines, but the integrated nature of Long Day Care provides the added convenience and flexibility for families seeking more comprehensive childcare solutions. We encourage parents to explore both options, visit
Learn more about our Kindergarten program here.
