Free Saturday kinder sessions a saving grace for parents who work weekends

An early learning provider is tackling growing waitlists and helping parents who work on weekends by offering free Saturday kinder sessions.

The brown family sends their daughter Kayley (middle) to Saturday kinder, which is taught by early childhood teacher Grace Keleher (left). Picture: Jason Edwards

An early education provider has come up with an innovative solution to tackle growing free kinder waitlists, in a move that has also benefited parents who work on weekends.

Glen Education, which provides early learning services in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, will continue to offer Saturday kindergarten next year, following a successful trial.

This means parents can choose to enrol their child into a two-day government-funded kinder program, with one of those classes held on a Saturday.

It’s the first program of its kind in Victoria, and comes amid calls from parents for the government to build more kinders as demand for existing facilities skyrocket in some areas.

Mum Colleen Brown (right) has used Glen Education’s kinder services for her children Jasmine and Rhiannon, but it’s the first time they’ve sent daughter Kayley to Saturday kinder. Picture: Jason Edwards

Chief Executive Samantha Kolasa said the rollout of Saturday kinder meant all three and four-year-old children enrolled could access 15 hours of free kindergarten, under the state government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms.

“We offer 15 hours of free kindergarten for three-year-olds across all our services – years ahead of the state government’s timeline of 2029,” she said.

Ms Kolasa said this wouldn’t have been possible if the provider continued with its current Monday to Friday programming structure at its most in-demand sites.

She also said the program gave parents more choice, particularly those who work on weekends or had other commitments on Saturdays.

“For some of our families that work in hospitality, emergency services, or undertake shift work, offering a program on a Saturday has been invaluable in providing their children with an early childhood education that also best meets the needs of their family circumstances,” she said.

Early childhood educator Helen Tselios, who has worked with Glen Education for more than eight years, said even parents who don’t work on Saturdays enjoy the program because it gives them quality time for themselves.

“Parents have noticed significant development in their child’s literacy, numeracy, creativity and social skills,” she said.

“Additionally, they appreciate the convenience of having our services open on Saturdays, as it aligns with their work schedules.”

Early childhood educator Helen Tselios said even parents who don’t work on Saturdays enjoy the program because it gives them quality time for themselves. Picture: Jason Edwards

Colleague Grace Keleher said parents who have older children also benefit because they’re able to leave their younger child at kinder while taking their older child to other activities, such as sport.

Music teacher Colleen Brown and her husband Steven Brown – who is a baker – are among the many happy parents using Glen Education’s Saturday program for their daughter Kayley.

Ms Brown said taking Kayley to kinder on Saturdays had become a family affair, with her four older children, including daughters Jasmine and Rhiannon, often involved in drop-off and pick-up.

“Kinder is an experience that (Kayley) has been able to share with us all,” Ms Brown said.

Mr Brown added the smaller class sizes on Saturdays meant there was more one-on-one time between students and staff.

“The relaxed nature of a Saturday, and lack of rushing to get to work can help them to settle more easily and for parents to be more relaxed dropping off their child,” he said.

The program is currently offered at Glen Education’s Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Carnegie and Centre Road kinders, and is run by Bachelor and Diploma qualified early childhood professionals.

Parents can opt to enrol their child into either Thursday and Saturday, or Friday and Saturday classes.

Originally published as Free Saturday kinder sessions a saving grace for parents who work weekends