We want children in our three and four-year-old kindergartens in our Early Childhood Centres at Kew and Donvale to feel as secure at school as they do at home.

We want the youngest members of our community to begin their schooling by building a solid foundation of confidence, and we work with families to ensure trust, open communication and consistency in approach to the developing child.

Proximity to other sections of the school allows future years of schooling to be anticipated with enthusiasm and provides access to music, art and physical education opportunities that would be beyond the scope of most primary schools. The D.R. Brown Library is an unusual and distinctive architectural feature of the campus, and is in constant use for private reading, research and displays of students’ work. The finest children’s literature and up-to-date information technology to aid research are offered in an environment conducive to relaxation and pleasure with comfortable furniture and an abundance of natural light.

Art Studios at both campuses are exceptionally well resourced and allow the learner to experiment with a range of media. Carey Donvale’s Art program is a distinctive feature of the School. Children in the kindergartens contribute to the many collaborative projects that enhance the Carey Donvale environment – and the surrounding environment as well. Several projects initiated by the City of Manningham have benefited from the contributions of the Carey Donvale community, including its youngest members.

Music in the ECC programs takes in all areas of development – social, physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual. The children make music using their voices and simple percussion instruments, chants, songs, movement games, integrated drama and music, all of which are carefully chosen to suit the children’s educational needs and their developmental stage.

Carey Donvale kindergarten children are involved in the environmental program and play an active part in the recycling, water management, waste management and environmental learning projects.

After school care

After School care offers a range of activities and is available on a daily, weekly or casual basis.