Why choose us
Unique experiences. Meaningful learning. Every day.
Nature Kinder
Where nature becomes the classroom.
At Waverley Meadows Preschool, we believe some of the richest learning happens beyond the kindergarten gate. Our Nature Kindergarten program provides children in both our 3-Year-Old and 4-Year-Old programs with regular opportunities to explore the natural environment at nearby Lum Reserve, where curiosity, creativity and confidence flourish.
With extended, uninterrupted time outdoors, children investigate the changing seasons, observe local plants and wildlife, ask questions, solve problems and develop a deep connection with the world around them. We embrace all weather conditions, recognising that each season offers unique opportunities for learning and discovery.
Nature Kindergarten encourages children to:
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Build confidence and resilience through managed risk-taking, such as climbing trees and navigating natural landscapes.
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Develop creativity and collaboration by constructing cubbies, creating with natural materials and engaging in imaginative play.
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Foster curiosity through open-ended investigations of mud, water, insects, plants and natural phenomena.
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Strengthen their wellbeing through movement, exploration and meaningful connections with nature.
Grounded in research highlighting the benefits of regular experiences in nature, our program supports children's physical, social and emotional wellbeing while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the environment.
Nature is more than a place we visit—it is an integral part of how we learn, grow and connect.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Growing, harvesting and cooking together.
At Waverley Meadows Preschool, every child has the opportunity to participate in our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, where growing, cooking and sharing food becomes a meaningful part of everyday learning. Through hands-on, pleasurable food education, children develop an appreciation for fresh, seasonal produce while building practical life skills, confidence and a lifelong connection with healthy eating.
Children are actively involved in every stage of the food journey. Together they plant seeds and seedlings, care for the garden, observe plants as they grow, harvest seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs, and transform their harvest into delicious meals and snacks. These experiences help children understand where food comes from while fostering patience, responsibility and care for the environment.
Our kitchen is a place of exploration and collaboration. Throughout the year, children have:
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Made their own passata using tomatoes grown in the garden.
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Mixed, kneaded and rolled fresh pasta from scratch.
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Baked bread, muffins and scones.
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Prepared hearty vegetable soups using seasonal produce.
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Chopped and prepared fresh salads and other shared meals.
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Explored new ingredients, flavours, textures and cooking techniques while working together as a team.
Seeing Eye Dogs Puppy Caring Program
Learning with compassion. Growing through connection.
Our partnership with Seeing Eye Dogs Australia provides children with a unique opportunity to care for and help raise a future Seeing Eye Dog. As volunteer puppy carers, our kindergarten welcomes a puppy into the centre during its first year of life, where children play an active role in supporting its early training and socialisation. Together, they learn how to care for the puppy with kindness, patience and respect while helping it become confident in a variety of everyday environments and experiences.
Through this authentic, real-world program, children develop empathy, compassion and an understanding of inclusion as they learn about the important role Seeing Eye Dogs play in supporting people who are blind or have low vision. Regular visits from Seeing Eye Dogs Australia trainers provide opportunities for children to observe the puppy's progress, learn about positive training techniques and ask questions about the journey from playful puppy to highly skilled assistance dog.
More than just caring for a puppy, this program nurtures children's understanding of responsibility, respectful relationships and community contribution, reflecting the values that are at the heart of Waverley Meadows Preschool.
Language - Auslan
Hands that speak, hearts that connect.
Through the Victorian Government's Early Learning Languages Program, children in our Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program participate in Auslan language learning with a dedicated Auslan teacher. Through songs, stories, games and play-based learning experiences, children develop an understanding of Auslan as a language while building awareness, respect and appreciation for Deaf culture. This learning extends across the preschool community, with children of all ages sharing and using a growing range of signs in their everyday interactions, fostering inclusion, communication and a celebration of diverse ways of connecting with others.
Chickens
Where responsibility comes to life.
Our much-loved resident chickens – Sprinty-Minty, Strawberry and Blueberry – are an important part of daily life at Waverley Meadows Preschool. Children play an active role in caring for the chickens by feeding them, collecting their eggs and helping to ensure they are healthy and happy. Through these meaningful, hands-on experiences, children develop a strong sense of responsibility, empathy and respect for living things while learning about sustainable practices and where food comes from. The fresh eggs collected are enjoyed in our cooking experiences or shared with our preschool community, strengthening children's understanding of caring for others and giving back.
New outside playscape
An outdoor space designed for every child.
Thanks to a successful Building Blocks Grant, Waverley Meadows Preschool has transformed its outdoor environment into a beautiful, inclusive and nature-inspired playscape designed to support every child's learning and wellbeing. Our thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces invite children to explore through gross motor challenges, imaginative play, sensory experiences and open-ended discovery, encouraging confidence, creativity and connection with nature.
Purposefully designed gardens provide opportunities for sensory exploration while also supplying fresh produce, herbs and edible plants for our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Every element of our outdoor environment has been created to inspire curiosity, support inclusion and foster meaningful learning through play.
