St Mary’s Kindergarten

Cnr Queensberry and Howard Streets, North Melbourne 3051

About us

Our experienced and passionate educators provide three and four-year-old kindergarten programs within the tranquil grounds of St Mary’s historic church. St Mary’s Kindergarten has been rated as Exceeding National Quality Standard. Click here to find out more about the National Quality Standards.

Integrated three and four-year-old kindergarten

Our integrated kindergarten program is led by our wonderful bachelor-qualified teacher. It features a variety of play-based activities that help prepare children for the transition to school. Our kindergarten program is a convenient and flexible option for families requiring care outside of kinder hours and during school holidays. To ensure equitable and transparent access to childcare, the Council provides a Central Registration System (CRS) for all eligible children. If you wish to enrol your child at this Service, register via the Council’s CRS program on their website.

St Mary’s Kindergarten

Address
Cnr Queensberry and Howard Streets, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Open Hours
8.00am – 4.30pm (Monday- Friday)
Phone

2024

Age Group Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
3YO Green 8:45am – 1:45pm 8:45am – 1:45pm
3YO Purple 8:45am – 1:45pm 8:45am – 1:45pm 8:45am – 1:45pm
4YO Blue 8:30am – 4:00pm 8:30am – 4:00pm
4YO Red 8:45am – 1:45pm 8:45am – 1:45pm 8:45am – 1:45pm
Proposed 2025 Timetable

Age Group Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Multi-age Red Rotational G1 8:30am – 4:00pm 8:30am – 4:00pm
Multi-age Red Rotational G2 8:30am – 4:00pm 8:30am – 4:00pm
Multi-age Red Rotational G3 8:30am – 4:00pm 8:30am – 4:00pm
4YO Blue 8:45am – 4:15pm 8:45am – 4:15pm
Multi-age Purple 8:45am – 4:15pm 8:45am – 4:15pm

Meet your Nominated Supervisor

I am Darlene Pegus, Nominated Supervisor at St Mary’s Kindergarten. I am an accomplished Early Childhood Educator with previous roles as a Teacher, Mentor, Wellbeing Manager and Educational Leader. It is a privilege to mentor other educators who share the passion for honouring the agency for the children we care for. St Mary’s is a longstanding leader in early childhood education. We are one of the most diverse programs, with up to 50 languages spoken by our families in any given year. We welcome you to be part of this vibrant, inclusive community.

Darlene Pegus

Centre Highlights

Inspiring play spaces

Qualified and nurturing teaching teams

Learning through play

Child safe environments

Regular communication

Community visits and exploring

Frequently asked questions

Your child will need a backpack or bag, a refillable water bottle, a change of clothes, a wide-brim sun hat and their favourite toy, which can help them settle in.

Children love community visits. Experiencing different environments and groups of people helps them learn. You’ll get plenty of information in advance and have opportunities to ask questions. The centre will also need your written permission before your child can take part.

Germs spread quickly, and home is the best place when we’re unwell. Please keep your child home for at least 24 hours if they show any of these symptoms.

• 38C and higher temperature

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Rashes that can’t be explained

• Red, swollen and discharging eyes

• Unusually lethargic, irritable or not eating and drinking

When your child is feeling better with no symptoms for 24 hours, they’re welcome to return.

Infectious diseases

If your child has an infectious disease, please keep them at home and let us know straight away. Whatever you tell us is confidential.

See the list of infectious diseases at www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table

If your child becomes unwell while at the centre, teachers will make them comfortable and ask you to pick them up. If you’re not available, they’ll call one of the other contacts listed on your enrolment form.

Whether it’s a one-off issue or requires ongoing care, talk to your teachers if your child is on regular medication or has food allergies or intolerances. The team is there to support your family, and the more you can tell them, the better they can help. They will ask you for information from your doctor about how much your child takes and how often. Also, let the team know when anything changes. They will set up a new plan to support you, including any necessary training.

ECMS is a Child Safe organisation. We rigorously follow the child-safe standards set out by the Victorian Government. These standards guide us to drive a child safe culture, provide appropriate strategies and actions to put the interests of children first, keeping them safe from harm. We are committed to involving families and communities in our efforts to keep children safe.

Engaging in risky play is vital for children’s learning and development. Our teaching teams plan for and support opportunities for children to explore their environment and challenge themselves within play. Navigating risk promotes problem solving, persistence and resilience, and in a safe environment, is lots of fun!

Explore a day in the life

Immerse yourself into what a day at our service could look like for you and your family.

Questions about enrolling?

Get in touch and one of our team will help you.

    ECMS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, learn, work and play. Aboriginal people have a long tradition of teaching and learning through sharing their connections with country, community, language and culture. We recognise their continuing connection to the country, and we pay respects to elders past and present.