About Us

 

Mt Gravatt Community Kindergarten is a community based non-profit organisation providing early childhood education for young children.



It is affiliated with Lady Gowrie, a leader in early childhood programs for over 70 years. This means that everything including staff, educational programs and equipment are of an approved high standard. The Gowrie provides management advice and educational consultancy, and facilitates funding the kindy receives from State Government grants.

 

The centre is operated by a management committee which is elected annually from the current parent body. The committee is responsible for employing staff, payment of wages, fundraising, collecting fees, purchasing and maintaining equipment, buildings and grounds. Parents can help by attending the monthly meetings and by actively participating in the centre's maintenance rosters, social events and fundraising activities. The committee operates under a constitution, a copy of which, is available in the office.

 

The curriculum

At Mt Gravatt our teaching programs and practice aligns with the Queensland Kindergarten Early Learning Guidelines. These guidelines are informed by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) for Australia and embraces the inclusive vision that "all children experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life".

​

Our program and groups

We offer two groups of kindy across the week:

Group A: Echidnas: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8.30am to 2.30pm - 18 hours per week (15 hours 'free kindy'). An Additional Hours Levy applies.

OR

Group B: Koalas: Thursday, Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm - 15 hours of kindy per week ('free kindy' - no charge).

​

The staff

Our staff are experienced and dedicated professionals who have a strong knowledge of early childhood curriculums and are experienced and strong advocates for early childhood. They all bring different interests and experiences to their roles and work as a team to provide the centre, individualised and informed programs for each child in our kindergarten.

 

At Mt Gravatt we have two teachers and two assistants who work across each week. Our 2025 teaching team is:

 

Group A Teacher / Nominated Supervisor: Mel Schaefer

Group B Teacher / Nominated Supervisor: Danielle Warner

Group A Teacher Assistant: Katrina Neighbour

Group B Teacher Assistant: Catherine Neilson-Murray

​

Educational Leader: Danielle Warner

​

An administration manager is available to assist staff, parents and the committee with the day-to-day running of the centre.

 

Environment and facilities

At Mt Gravatt our unique forest setting provides many opportunities for natural play experiences, challenges and learning opportunities. The children are encouraged to explore and interact within, to care for and to discover our natural sustainable environment. Within our grounds we have a variety of natural plant life and wildlife that provide opportunities for contact and conversation about caring for our natural world. We are lucky enough to be visited by koalas, native birds and insects who all live harmoniously within our environment.

 

Our playroom and open verandah are an extension of our peaceful outdoor environment. We offer a diverse range of equipment and resources to engage and extend children's interest and learning opportunities.

 

Families

At Mt Gravatt Community Kindergarten our families are proactive members of our learning community engaging within the program and acknowledged as strong partners in children's learning. Our parents are involved as members of the management committee engaged in the running and maintenance of our beautiful centre.

 

Opening hours and term dates

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 8.30am to 2.30pm

Thursday, Friday from 8.00am to 3.30pm 

Term 1: Tuesday 28 January to Friday 4 April

Term 2: Monday 22 April to Friday 27 June

Term 3: Monday 14 July to Friday 19 September

Term 4: Tuesday 7 October to Friday 12 December

 

Fee structure

We are a community not-for-profit kindergarten.

The fees are stated here; for more detailed information, please contact our office.