An educator playing alongside a toddler in the cottage playroom.
Our Program

Where learning starts with heart.

Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood full of wonder and fun. Where their imaginations can run wild, where their little hands can get messy and their curious minds are free to explore.

This is the heart of our educational program at Brisbane’s Kindy Cottage Sandgate. As mums and lifelong educators, we know that happy children naturally learn through child-led play in a safe, enriching environment. Where every day is full of kindness, friendship and love led by experienced, qualified educators.

Explore our programsApply to enrol
SERVICES

Age Groups

At Kindy Cottage Sandgate, we welcome children from 6 weeks old through to pre-Prep. Whatever their age, we give children meaningful learning experiences within a homestyle environment.

Nursery

Babies to 15 months

We nurture babies with kindness, care and a strong sense of belonging as they discover the world.

Apply to enrol

Toddler

16 months to 2 years

We support toddlers as they learn about what their body can do, develop confidence in their skills and how to express themselves.

Apply to enrol

Pre-Kindy

2 to 3 years

Our pre-kindergarten aged children are growing in independence. We guide their developing skills, support and expand their language learning and help them build meaningful friendships. 

Apply to enrol

Kindy

4 to 5 years

Aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), our qualified kindergarten teacher supports each child’s readiness for school through play-based learning.

Apply to enrol
A child cupping shells gathered on a nature walk.
Free Kindergarten Approved Program accreditation badge.
Our Program

Children naturally love to learn and learning is naturally fun.

Guided by our Kindy Cottage Way, our educational program encourages hands-on, play-based experiences that support essential early childhood development skills.

We offer children:

Homelike learning in a safe, enriching environment
A sense of belonging as part of our close-knit community
Messy, hands-on fun that feels natural
Gentle, step-by-step school readiness
Qualified educators who genuinely care

What’s more, our approach supports every child’s cognitive, social, emotional, language and fine and gross motor development and aligns to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG).

Kindy Cottage Sandgate is where learning starts with heart.

Early Literacy & Language

Where words build worlds.

As experienced early childhood educators, we know that early language grows naturally through everyday conversations, stories and shared moments. Here's some of the ways we support your child’s literacy and vocabulary development:

We gather in our library nook to read and listen to stories
We describe things as we set up, supervise and pack down activities
We are patient as we gently encourage children to express themselves through practice and repetition
An educator reading a picture book with a young girl beside the cottage bookshelves.
A yellow toy hard hat with an Engineer badge, used for dress-up and imaginative play.
Child-Led Play

Where play is a language.

Happy children naturally learn which is why child-led play is at the heart of our days at Kindy Cottage Sandgate. We are not in a rush and love to give children the space and freedom to follow their interests which may look like:

Building their own games together in the cubby house
Role playing family life in home corner
Dressing up to become characters, animals or heroes
Exploring sensory experiences like digging and building in the sandpit
Science

Where wonder and curiosity are evergreen.

Children are naturally curious and being curious is naturally good for them.

So, we embrace wonder through age-appropriate activities that explore basic scientific concepts like:

Watching ingredients melt or dissolve when we cook together
Testing which objects sink or float in the water trough
Mixing colours during art activities to experiment with cause and effect
A child pressing shapes into pink playdough at the craft table.
A child's hands stacking wooden blocks into a tower.
Early Numeracy, Maths & Engineering

Where the little things count.

At Kindy Cottage Sandgate, we pause to focus on the little things. We find ways to explore basic maths, engineering and STEM concepts in meaningful ways for young children.

Like:

Counting leaves as we collect them
Measuring ingredients as we cook together
Building with blocks to understand size, shape and space
Race balls down ramps to experiment with speed and gravity
Creative Arts

Where imaginations can run wild.

Raw creativity is natural during childhood. And we love to help the children in our care to express their ideas through art, craft and music in ways such as:

Drawing and painting with different mediums
Singing, dancing and playing music together
Crafting ideas through arts and craft materials
A child peeking through hands covered in rainbow finger paint.
A colourful spill of paper cupcake cases set out for a craft activity.
Environment & Sustainability

Where messy fun comes naturally.

Children love to learn outdoors and get messy. So, we love to give children the freedom to explore and understand their world in a variety of ways.

Like:

Observing the plants and migratory birds as the weather and seasons change
Learn about reusing, upcycling or recycling items
Discover the outdoors through everyday play and natural exploration
Physical Play

And we grow strong bodies.

Young children need plenty of time outside to be free to learn about and challenge their growing bodies. Our beautiful outdoor area gives children the chance to:

Climb and balance on the playground
Build strength and stability on an obstacle course
Lift and carry toys to create new games with friends
A child's feet in pink sandals balancing on a timber tree stump in the outdoor play space.
Request a tour
The cottage's heritage hall with arched windows, high timber ceilings and pastel bunting.
What to Expect

Choosing early childhood care for the whole family.

As mums and experienced educators, we know choosing the right Brisbane kindergarten or childcare for your child is a big decision. Because you aren’t just looking for the ideal place where your child feels at home to learn, play and grow — you’re looking for support that helps your whole family.

Here, you can expect:

A welcoming space with caring educators they know (and know them)
A fun and nurturing atmosphere where friendships naturally blossom
A diverse learning environment that sparks curiosity, discovery and fun, every day
A caring and connected community where the whole family feels supported
Apply to enrol
Learn about enrolment
Our Credentials

We know what matters, and we care like mums.

Qualified Teachers

Our team is qualified, dedicated and love what they do.

Government-approved Kindergarten Program

Our kindergarten program enables a smooth transition to primary school, aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework.

Strong Community Links

Children love coming to Kindy Cottage, and their parents love that too.

FAQS

Are you wondering …

What are the operating hours?

Kindy Cottage Sandgate is open 6:45 am to 6:00 pm 52 weeks a year (except public holidays).

Is there parking?

Yes, there is a carpark on Cliff Street for easy and safe pickups and drop-offs.

Are healthy meals included?

Yes, we provide nutritious meals for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for children over one year old.

Got another question?

Read our FAQs

Discover Kindy Cottage Sandgate.

Book a time to explore our premises on a personalised tour with Megan or one of our warm and friendly team members. We look forward to welcoming you.

Apply to enrolRequest a tour