Yarra Ranges Kindergartens

21/10/2026

Throwback Thursday: 54 children, three staff and a whole lot of community spirit! 🌿
In March 1953, Upwey Pre-School Centre made the local news when enrolments reached a record 54 children. According to the Mountain District Free Press, the kindergarten needed three staff to accommodate its growing numbers. And how did the community help support its local kinder? By organising street stalls in Upwey Main Street over Easter!
More than 70 years later, YRK Upwey Kindergarten continues to be part of the community, with 58 children currently enrolled. The numbers may have changed, but the community spirit lives on. 💚
Do you remember a YRK kinder in years gone by? Were you a child, parent, or educator there? We'd love to hear your memories and see your old photos. Email [email protected]
🌿 30 years. 22 kindergartens. Thousands of stories.

21/10/2026

It all began with a feather... For National Bird Week (19-25 October) we're celebrating curiosity taking flight at YRK Sassafras Kindergarten. Inspired by a galah feather and educator Monica Moulday's father's old bird book, children began collecting feathers, identifying birds and creating a bird book of their own. It's this type of research and learning that has ensured that YRK Sassafras Kindergarten was rated as exceeding the National Quality Standards in all seven quality areas. Here's what the Star Mail had to say: https://rangestrader.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2026-10-20/little-artists-big-ideas-at-sassafras-why-families-keep-finding-their-way-back/

20/10/2026

09/10/2026

Some places stay with you, like Yarra Ranges Kindergarten’s Sassafras.

Max attended Sassafras as a child and found a photograph from his kinder class in 2001. Twenty-five years later, his daughter Autumn now comes through the same doors.

For Maggie, the connection goes back another generation. Her grandfather Graham attended Sassafras when it first opened as a preschool, and now she is making memories of her own where gramps once played.

For Romana, the decision was made on her own when she saw the kinder and asked her parents to bring her here.

Some families return. Others go out of their way to find us. And some little people apparently make the decision themselves.

Perhaps that’s what makes a kinder part of a community. Each new group of children, adding their own stories to those that came before.

Sassafras is also rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard across all seven quality areas, independent recognition of the quality families experience here.

Could Sassafras be part of your child’s story?

👉 Find out about YRK Sassafras for yourself: https://www.yrkinders.com/kinders/sassafras-kindergarten-yarra-ranges-kinders

07/10/2026

05/10/2026

Meet Bubbles 🐰

He’s the resident bunny at Yarra Ranges Kindergarten’s Mt Dandenong.

Last week was International Rabbit Day and yesterday was World Animal Day. And we couldn’t let it pass without celebrating the fluffiest member of our Mt Dandenong kinder family.

A rabbit can prompt some big questions. What does it eat? How does it tell us it needs space? What helps it feel safe?

Animals offer opportunities for children to observe, ask questions, and learn about gentle care.

Did your kindergarten have an animal you still remember? So, a slightly belated Happy International Rabbit Day and World Animal Day from Bubbles and everyone at YRK’s Mt Dandenong.

Want to find out more about Bubbles? Call YRK’s Mt Dandenong for a walk through our kindergarten. https://www.yrkinders.com/find-a-kinder

28/09/2026

Kindergarten is more than just a place to play. It's where children build confidence, develop social skills, make friendships, and discover a love of learning.

Through play-based experiences, children learn to communicate, problem-solve, explore their creativity, and gain the skills they need for a successful transition to school.

At kindergarten, every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and belong.

2027 enrolments are open now 🌿 Link in bio.
📧 [email protected] | 📞 9726 0439

24/09/2026

At Bush Kinder, every puddle, stick, leaf and trail is an opportunity to learn!

There’s something special about learning in nature. Bush Kinder gives children the freedom to explore, discover, and connect with the world around them through hands-on experiences in the outdoors.

Benefits of Bush Kinder include:
🐞 Building confidence and independence
🐛 Encouraging curiosity and creativity
🪲 Developing problem-solving skills
🕷️ Supporting physical health and wellbeing
🐜 Fostering a love and respect for nature

Find out more about Bush Kinder at participating YRK kindergartens: https://loom.ly/RBfb9uI

22/09/2026

2027 places are filling at Belgrave Kindergarten!

Our play-based, nature-immersed program for children aged 3–5 is open for enrolments and we'd love to welcome your family in to see it for yourself.

Come meet our educators, explore the space, and see if Belgrave feels like the right fit.

📍 6 Hayes Place, Belgrave

Contact us: 📞 (03) 9754 5594 | 📧 [email protected]

18/09/2026

Time flies when you're learning through play!

Our Yarra Ranges Kindergartens will be closing for the school holiday break from Saturday 19 September, returning Monday 5 October 2026.

Head Office will remain open throughout the holidays. If you have any questions about enrolments or your child's place, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Wishing all of our YRK families a wonderful, restful break and we can't wait to see everyone back in Term 4 🌿

📞 9726 0439 | ✉️ [email protected]

28/05/2026

National Simultaneous Storytime