Providers of quality early childhood education for over 30 years, Gan Gani means “Play Place” in Hebrew. Gan Gani Kindergarten offers a multi-cultural program, including a unique Jewish curriculum. Staff provide children with a wide range of opportunities for creativity, imagination and learning with an emphasis placed on sustainability. The Life Garden, containing vegetable gardens, chickens, worm farms and native honey bees, is a favourite among children where they collect eggs, which are then used for baking. The centre is also involved in various recycling programs throughout the year.
Gan Gani Kindergarten Parent Fact Sheet
Education Type: Kindergarten program
Days & Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8:45am – 2:45pm
Ages of Care: 3 – 5 years
Staff Ratio: 22 children to 2 staff members
Food Provided: No
Allergy Considerations: Nut free and meat free centre
Nappies Provided: No (children should be toilet trained)
National Quality Standards (NQS) Rating: Exceeding
Size of Centre: One unit (kindergarten)
Point of Difference: Gan Gani Kindergarten is perfectly situated in a semi-rural setting with plenty of wide open spaces and leafy surrounds.
Centre Philosophy
Staff at Gan Gani believe childhood is a matchless period of life to be cherished and enjoyed and a time when foundations are laid for future well-being, learning and growth. They acknowledge the ethos of the Kindergarten which was founded by the Queensland Jewish Kindergarten Association (QJKA) and incorporate learning and practice of Jewish culture and holidays within the program.
Each child is welcomed as an individual and has the right to be in a safe and welcoming environment. Gan Gani Kindergarten aims to develop strategies to promote resilience, self-confidence, empathy and critical thinking and seek to work in close partnership with families. Each family’s social and cultural background will be acknowledged, respected and treated equally. They endeavor to maintain an open dialogue and work collaboratively with the wider community in supporting children and families.
Staff at Gan Gani Kindergarten seek to share information on each child’s learning and experiences with children, parents and colleagues, reflect on practices, commit to continuous quality improvement and support ongoing professional and personal development.
Partnerships in the Community
Gan Gani Kindergarten has a focus on inclusion and diversity programs, with the centre often partaking in Aged Care and Endeavour Foundation incursions. The kindergarten also has a partnership with Brisbane Montessori before and after school care, as well as vacation care, which comes in handy for working parents.
Play-based Curriculum
The kindergarten strives to provide children with opportunities to grow and develop though a play based emergent curriculum and recognise each child is a capable and competent learner with their own set of strengths to be nurtured, fostered and extended.
What Parents are Saying
“I absolutely love Gan Gani Kindergarten. My two eldest children have attended and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. It is a small, community minded Kindy set amongst the gorgeous, leafy environment of Fig Tree Pocket. Both teachers Sally and Colleen are amazing with children and take the opportunity to introduce them to new experiences where possible. The extensive Gan Gani playground includes a fort, sound garden, life garden and large chicken coop. Not to mention it backs on to the Queensland Equestrian Centre so there is always a hungry horse at the fence ready to be fed. My children experience play opportunities at Gan Gani that they would not experience elsewhere and they look forward to going to Kindy every day.” – Danielle
“What an amazing kindy for enriching experiences for the development of these children! The natural setting really stands out and provides the inspiration for the daily sensory experiences. What a delight it is to see children in a “digging patch” and up to the knees sand elbows in water play. I have seen daily experiences that cover all areas of development, gross motor, fine motor, emotional development etc. which are so cleverly embedded in play. The creativity and curiosity that is inspired at Gan Gani is truly
unique and is skillfully encouraged by the teaching staff.” – Kate Johns (Occupational Therapist)
“Having lived near to Fig Tree Pocket for many years I had often driven past Gan Gani Kindergarten and glanced at the children happily playing surrounded by horses and trees. I am so happy that we chose Gan Gani as it has met and exceeded any expectations we had of a kindy. My kids (Alex attended for 2 years, James currently attends as a 3 year old) absolutely love the place and I think it is because of the teachers, the setting and the other families. The teachers are so welcoming, caring and really take the time to build up genuine relationships with the kids. I am constantly amazed by the way they integrate individual interests into the kindy program and follow the child’s lead. The setting is second to none- it is so unique to be able to feed horses, collect eggs, play in the digging patch, grow vegetables, keep stingless bees and play in a sound garden. The other families are terrific and there is a strong ‘community’ vibe. Alex is in Prep now but on kindy days he often asks to drop James to kindy first before school so he can have a play and a chat.” – Wendy
Gan Gani Kindergarten is located at 691 – 695 Fig Tree Pocket Road, Fig Tree Pocket.
To arrange a tour or to enrol your child, please visit their website.
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