Wo-min-jeka to Spring Gully Kindergarten

Our kindergarten is established on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people. We acknowledge that these people, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as the traditional custodians of the land in which we come together to live, learn, and play. We pay respects to them, their culture, and their customs past, present and emerging. Bunjil, the creator spirit of the Kulin nations, along with our Gurri, Guwak and Wila totems, all stand proudly at our service, looking over our children as they play, connecting us to Country, and reminding us to live on the land in harmony, and in balance with the local environment. Our kindergarten is nestled close to the bushland of the Bendigo creek, in the Spring Gully community.

Our programs with children encourage a sense of wonder, a feeling of belonging and a love of the land, plants, and animals so that they develop lifelong, respectful relationships with the environment, for a sustainable future. Our image of the child is that they are capable, competent, intelligent, have strong imaginations, and play is their life’s work.

We will inspire children to have a love of learning, and to create a generation of thinkers and doers, with lots of time to play, loose parts, access to nature and sensory play, bush kinder, excursions in our local community, and authentic materials to engage with.

Spring Gully Kindergarten has a commitment for continuous improvement and maintains a culture of ongoing reflection. This leads to improved practices, which then leads to improved outcomes for children, families, and the broader community.

The voices of the educators at Spring Gully Kindergarten:

We are striving to make our kindergarten a place that is caring, and an inclusive community, where everyone feels welcome.

It is a community where educators, children and families feel happy, have history, and enjoy a sense of belonging.

It is a place for joy, laughter, music, and dance.

It is a place where ‘having a go’ at new things is strongly encouraged, where we can create and work together on projects, that enhance our collaborative connection with the community, and with each other.

It is a place where you have genuine connections with others and make lifelong friendships.

Each educator brings different strengths, skills, and interests to our team, and these are extremely valuable to our kindergarten.

We believe that children experience the greatest growth, and they bloom when they feel secure and valued. Therefore, we will provide a homely, nurturing, and safe learning environment for all our children and their families. 

The voices of the community:

It is a place that is warm and inviting, where all children and their families feel like they belong, and that as a family, they matter.

We value children getting dirty in the mud and playing in nature, immersing themselves in, and exploring with all their senses.

It is an inclusive community where friendships are made, where children and educators connect, and children play in a safe space.

It is a calm place, where children build confidence to play and investigate, learn about Indigenous culture, and laugh often.

It is a kindergarten with a reputation for warm and caring educators, who are nurturing, help children grow, and become independent learners.

The children’s voices:

When we spend time at kindergarten, we feel happy, and we feel proud to try new things, and experience success.

It is a place where we can make things, play on the monkey bars, play outside, and make friends.

We love playing in the mud and jumping in the puddles.