Programs & rooms
From first discoveries in our nursery to our Victorian Government funded Kindergarten, our educators meet children where they are and help them take their confident next step.
From approximately 3 months01 · Babies
Your baby’s cues, rhythms and relationships guide the day. Our educators work closely with families to keep feeding, sleep and comfort routines familiar while creating calm opportunities to move, communicate and explore.
Growing explorers02 · Toddlers
Toddlerhood brings language, independence, movement and big feelings. Educators create a predictable, encouraging environment where children can make choices, practise emerging skills and build friendships.
3 & 4 Year Olds · Victorian Free Kinder03 · Funded Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten program is officially approved and funded by the Victorian Government under the Free Kinder initiative, displaying the official Kindergarten Tick. Led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher, the curriculum builds curiosity, resilience, problem-solving and social confidence—all within the flexible hours of long day care.
Victorian Government Funded Kindergarten
Magic Garden is an approved provider of Victorian Funded Kindergarten. That means your child receives a university-trained teacher-led curriculum, and your family receives Victorian Free Kinder funding credited directly against your fees—with the convenience of long day care hours.
For children turning 3 by 30 April
A foundational year designed to spark curiosity, build emotional resilience, expand language, and nurture secure peer friendships in an unhurried setting.
For children turning 4 by 30 April (year before school)
A comprehensive 15-hour weekly curriculum that prepares children emotionally, socially, and cognitively for a confident transition to primary school.
How Free Kinder works in Long Day Care
You don’t have to choose between a quality kindergarten program and working hours. Here is how easy it is to claim your funding at Magic Garden:
Enrol your child for the days your family needs. Our kindergarten program runs during long day care hours (6:30am–6:30pm), with all wholesome meals prepared for you.
Complete the straightforward Victorian Government Kindergarten declaration form nominating Magic Garden as your funded provider. No Centrelink paperwork required for this portion.
We apply the Victorian Government Free Kinder funding as a direct credit on your invoice, further reducing your out-of-pocket costs alongside your Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
Victorian Kinder funding explained
The Kindergarten Tick is the Victorian Government’s official symbol showing that an early childhood service is funded, approved, meets National Quality Standards, and delivers a program led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Look for the tick to know your child is in an approved Victorian kindergarten program.
In standalone sessional kindergartens, Free Kinder means no fees for a set 15-hour week (usually 9:00am–2:00pm during school terms only). In our Long Day Care centre, the Victorian Government provides a direct annual funding amount that we pass on 100% to enrolled families as a regular fee offset on your statements. This significantly reduces your out-of-pocket costs while giving you full-day coverage (6:30am–6:30pm) and chef-prepared meals 50 weeks a year.
No. Under Victorian Government guidelines, a child can only be enrolled in one funded kindergarten program at a time. During enrolment, you sign a simple declaration confirming Magic Garden as your funded kindergarten service. Your child can still attend other care services, but the funded kinder component can only be claimed once.
Yes! The Victorian Free Kinder funding works alongside your Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Your CCS is calculated first based on your family income and activity hours, and our Victorian Kindergarten funding offset is then applied to reduce your family’s remaining gap fee.
To be eligible for 3-Year-Old Kinder, children must turn 3 by 30 April of that calendar year. Because Victorian educator-to-child regulations require children to be at least 3 years old to attend without toddler staffing ratios, children with birthdays between 1 January and 30 April can begin attending as soon as they turn 3.
Indoor–outdoor learning
Outdoor play is part of the everyday program—not a break from learning. It offers space for physical confidence, nature discovery, collaboration, calculated risk and wonderfully messy creativity.
Programs operate within full centre hours (6:30am–6:30pm), giving working families flexibility before and after structured kindergarten experiences.
We are an approved provider of the Victorian Government Funded Kindergarten Program with the Kindergarten Tick. Funding is credited directly against your family’s fees.
We plan settling-in with you, based on your child’s temperament, routines, relationships and previous care experiences.
Start with a visit
Meet our educators, explore the rooms and outdoor spaces, and ask every question on your list. There is no obligation—just a warm welcome.