Dill-be-din Kindergarten welcomes families for 2025.
This new kindergarten will help meet the growing needs of the local community, making accessing kindergarten easier for those living in Fitzroy.
The outdoor play space features a large, tree-filled yard with many amenities to support imaginative play including a sandpit, mud pit, cubby, yarning circle and basketball ring.
Dill-be-din kindergarten was previously known by the name of Atherton Gardens Kindergarten.
In acknowledgement of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land and Yarra City Council’s commitments under their Yana Ngargna Plan, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation was engaged to seek a suitable name for the new kindergarten. A Wurundjeri Elder provided options and local kindergarten-aged children and their families at the Connie Benn Children’s Centre nominated their preference.
The kindergarten has now been re-named to Dill-be-din Kindergarten, which means ‘safely look after and protect’.
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Contact details
At Dill-be-din Kindergarten we see children as capable, active participants in their lives and encourage them in their learning through their play. We want to support children in building their autonomy and ensure their voices are heard, valued and empowered.
Our education runs off a term curriculum, which encourages learning through care and play experiences. The curriculum focuses on holistic development of motor skills as well as social and emotional skills.
We show our respect for the Woi Wurrung Peoples and support children in learning about caring for Country through nature and sustainability practices.
- free funded kindergarten for children aged 3 to 6 years
- flexible classrooms that open into a large outdoor yard
- a communication platform for you to share and receive updates about your child – access this from mobile device via the Xplor app.
- qualified and experienced early childhood teachers and educators
- a curriculum that supports a sense of learning through care and play experiences
- opportunities for children to make choices about their own learning
- a focus on holistic development, including motor, sensory, social, emotional, language and communication skills.
Early childhood experts agree that play is the best way for young children to learn. Children can become immersed in their experiences to develop an understanding of their world.
Our focus is on holistic development, including motor, sensory, social, emotional, language and communication skills.
We give children opportunities to:
- paint, draw, cut, paste and create
- climb, run, jump, crawl and dance
- read, write, count and discuss
- pretend, dress up and imagine
- meditate, relax and stretch
- practice social interactions and form relationships
- explore, investigate and hypothesise
- dig, cook, mould and meld.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9am – 10.20am | Children arrive. Lunch boxes and drink bottles are placed on trolley, bags placed in lockers. Indoor/outdoor play |
| 10.20am – 10.30am | Morning group time |
| 10.30am – 11am | Morning tea |
| 11am – 12.20am | Indoor/outdoor play |
| 12.20am – 12.30pm | Group time/story |
| 12.30noon – 1pm | Lunch |
| 1pm – 2.30pm | Indoor/outdoor play During this time children also have the option to rest or enjoy quiet time indoors before afternoon tea. |
| 2.30pm – 3pm | Afternoon Tea (optional) |
| 3pm – 4.30pm | Indoor/outdoor play During this time children also pack bags and check they have all their belongings ready for pick-up. |
Note: This is only a guide, as the program is flexible and adapted to children’s needs.
Please put these items in your child’s bag:
- food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
- a change of clothes
- a drink bottle
- a sun hat.
On cool or wet days, please provide gumboots and a warm, waterproof jacket.
Please clearly label all belongings with your child’s name.
Sessional kindergarten programs are free, as they are fully funded by the State Government.
Read more on the Victorian Government website.
Register for kindergarten – there are separate forms for kindergarten and long day care.
We will contact you via email or SMS if a place becomes available for your child. You will have three days to respond to this offer.
If you tell us that you want the place, we will email you an invitation to enrol via our Xplor app.
Please have the following documents ready for upload:
- your current Health Care Card (concession card), if you have one
- a referral letter from a doctor or medical practitioner if your child was diagnosed with a chronic or serious health issue that impacts your capacity to care for them.
Holiday operating hours
We are closed on public holidays and school holidays. View public holidays 2025 calendar