View Full Version : Qld Kindy - difference between kindy program in LDC and C & K?
Re the post about asking questions about kindy in Queensland, is there much difference between a kindy program delivered by a LDC and one delivered by, say, C & K?
I work part time, so my son goes to LDC twice a week (7.30am - 5.30pm). the room he should be in next year runs a kindy program (they have a proper teacher, and the government accreditation). From what I understand, they run this between around 9 and 3 and it's just play time/outside time for the other hours.
Are the programs run by C & K and other providers which only offer kindy programs different?
I guess it's a moot point for me as I can't enrol him in C & K as the hours are impractical for my office job.
Tutu & Lulu
01-08-2012, 13:57
In years past there would have been a big difference but i think now they are all beginning to run the same program with an actual teacher and not just a diploma qualified Group Leader.
I guess you could have a look at both and see what the difference is. for me i think Kindy is a bit more structured and will generally have more funding then a childcare centre.
For me i'm not working so DD1 will be going to a C&K kindy with short hours but if i was working i wouldn't hesitate to just put her in a daycare with a kindy program
I have always thought it would be good if C & K could offer a before and after kindy program, to make it more accessible for working parents.
I have always thought it would be good if C & K could offer a before and after kindy program, to make it more accessible for working parents.
yea, i guess it would end up being pretty much the same as ldc.. if they were to do that.. but anyway, the one my dd is going to next year that she got into has an awesome playground and sandpit, plus a seperate sandpit on the other side of the yard which they call a ''construction zone''.. there are tonka trucks, little mini excavators, and mini hi visibility vests for them to wear.. inside i noticed ALOT more art and craft things for them to do, there were endless containers with feathers, glitter, paint, paint brushes, scissors, crayons, felt, shapes etc etc, they had home made playdough which was fantastic as well.. at the daycare centre dd goes to at the moment they have an outside play area, but it's nowhere near as good as the c & k play area. they don't have playdough either, nor do they do as much art activities.. mainly it's painting/drawing etc...
do you have a relative, maybe your parents or someone who would be able to help out with pick up /drop off times?
bheditor
01-08-2012, 14:11
hi guys - sorry to crash your thread but I've just written some articles about kindy in QLD.
Basically the program is the same - it is state government accredited. Here's some more info: http://www.bubhub.com.au/info/articles/baby_child_education_development/kindergarten_services_vs_day_care_providers.shtml
yea, i guess it would end up being pretty much the same as ldc.. if they were to do that.. but anyway, the one my dd is going to next year that she got into has an awesome playground and sandpit, plus a seperate sandpit on the other side of the yard which they call a ''construction zone''.. there are tonka trucks, little mini excavators, and mini hi visibility vests for them to wear.. inside i noticed ALOT more art and craft things for them to do, there were endless containers with feathers, glitter, paint, paint brushes, scissors, crayons, felt, shapes etc etc, they had home made playdough which was fantastic as well.. at the daycare centre dd goes to at the moment they have an outside play area, but it's nowhere near as good as the c & k play area. they don't have playdough either, nor do they do as much art activities.. mainly it's painting/drawing etc...
do you have a relative, maybe your parents or someone who would be able to help out with pick up /drop off times?
No family in Brisbane, unfortunately. I will just leave him in the centre. It seems okay. The teacher in the kindy room is great. Hopefully she stays next year. Some of the other carers are a bit so-so.
I agree that the LDC seems more focussed on more basic art activities, like drawing.
Actually, I remember reading an article about childcare research in the paper last week. They compared the educational outcomes of kids who had attended an accredited kindy program (not sure what state) and those who just attended LDC. Initially, the school academic results for the kindy kids were higher, but within a few years of school, it had evened out. I guess it's the case with most early learning, that you might get a spike in outcomes but most kids regulate over many years. Although the article was pretty scant on detail, so you would want to get the actual research, I guess.
hi guys - sorry to crash your thread but I've just written some articles about kindy in QLD.
Basically the program is the same - it is state government accredited. Here's some more info: http://www.bubhub.com.au/info/articles/baby_child_education_development/kindergarten_services_vs_day_care_providers.shtml
That's a timely article!
I agree that daycares use the term "kindy" a bit indiscriminately. My son's room is called "kindy [colour]", but they don't actually run a kindy program. they did, but the teacher left and they didn't replace her so they lost their accreditation.
You would think "kindy" would be a word reserved for an actual accredited program, otherwise it's misleading.
That's a timely article!
I agree that daycares use the term "kindy" a bit indiscriminately. My son's room is called "kindy [colour]", but they don't actually run a kindy program. they did, but the teacher left and they didn't replace her so they lost their accreditation.
You would think "kindy" would be a word reserved for an actual accredited program, otherwise it's misleading.
very good point! do you another centre nearby that does have an accredited program? maybe that can start him at the beginning of next year say.?
very good point! do you another centre nearby that does have an accredited program? maybe that can start him at the beginning of next year say.?
sorry, my posts are a bit all over the place, but his centre does run a kindy program in the next room up so he should be able to transfer to that in January next year (he goes to prep in 2014). I think they automatically transfer the kids with existing enrolments for the same days.
(but they used to run two kindy rooms - one for the year before prep, and one for the year before that)
bheditor
02-08-2012, 05:56
That's a timely article!
I agree that daycares use the term "kindy" a bit indiscriminately. My son's room is called "kindy [colour]", but they don't actually run a kindy program. they did, but the teacher left and they didn't replace her so they lost their accreditation.
You would think "kindy" would be a word reserved for an actual accredited program, otherwise it's misleading.
Yes very timely! :) We are helping the state government get that message out there at the moment as we realise it is all a bit confusing at the moment.
share a book
02-08-2012, 06:28
Hi, I have recently stopped working in a ldc and now work from home. In the 3-4 and 4-6 year rooms, a kindy program is run from 9am to 3pm each day in line with other kindy or pre-prep programs. Now from home, I also run the kindy program during school hours. We use the Early Years Learning Framework and I am learning more about National Curriculum to better prepare the children emotionally and academically for school.
The person who runs the "kindy" program is now a Bachelor Qualified Teacher.
As for basic painting and drawing , come to my centre :) from the Nursery up we use anything and everything to paint with! Potato Mashers, leaves, feathers, tennis balls, hands and feet, straws, and that's only to name a few :) I'm crazy for art lol
biscotti
03-08-2012, 16:52
I have always thought it would be good if C & K could offer a before and after kindy program, to make it more accessible for working parents.
Some affiliated centres have offered after kindy programs in the past but due to high costs they aren't always feasible....only a handful that I know of too. One centre I know of looked at working in with the after school care at the local school but I'm not sure how that one panned out. I think it was an issue with ratios, I'll have to chase it up, just for my own interest!
I think one of the biggest differences is that a C&K Kindy is non-profit and many LDC's are run for profit ie it's someone's business. There can be quite a difference in the way a centre is run or how a program is delivered when it's run as a business. The other thing to consider is that C&K centres, well the affiliated ones are usually managed by parents - the Management Commitee - a great opportunity to be involved in the program and hands on in running of the centre :yes:
Hope that helps :)
Pina Colada
03-08-2012, 19:25
In terms of the program these days there is no difference, although it wasn't long ago where there was a real difference.
I know, for me, there are 2 big benefits of C and K over LDC and that is the class is consistent ie. there is the same group of 22 children there on all 3 days rather then varying numbers and faces during the week and also we are not eligible for any type of childcare rebate, so we would be paying $70+ in LDC instead of $27 for C and K.
biscotti
03-08-2012, 19:44
I know, for me, there are 2 big benefits of C and K over LDC and that is the class is consistent ie. there is the same group of 22 children there on all 3 days rather then varying numbers and faces during the week
:iagree: I meant to mention that, I was only just saying that to someone today. The same children on the same days is a huge benefit - for both teacher and the kids :)
sweetseven
16-11-2012, 13:54
That's a timely article!
I agree that daycares use the term "kindy" a bit indiscriminately. My son's room is called "kindy [colour]", but they don't actually run a kindy program. they did, but the teacher left and they didn't replace her so they lost their accreditation.
You would think "kindy" would be a word reserved for an actual accredited program, otherwise it's misleading.
I am of the understanding that the official term is "pre-prep" but many people use "kindy" or "pre-school" because those are the terms they are more familiar with. I would expect that there are limitations on what is classed as "pre-prep" but almost anything can be called "kindy" or "pre-school".
bheditor
18-11-2012, 08:53
Hi everyone! Just popping in as this thread caught my attention.
The QLD government is running a big campaign at the moment to let people know more about what they are now officially calling Kindergarten (or Kindy) - which is the year before Prep.
More info on our Kindy hub: http://www.bubhub.com.au/queensland-kindy-news/
Hope this clears up any confusion!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.9 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.