Lady Forster Kindergarten

Growing curious, confident learners on the Elwood foreshore since 1924.

Welcome

Lady Forster Kindergarten is a long-standing and much-loved service nestled along the Elwood foreshore, where the land meets the water and the natural landscape offers a quiet backdrop to our days…

Lady Forster, wife of the then Governor-General of Australia, officially opened the kindergarten in 1924. The kindergarten reflects her strong commitment to the growth and advancement of early childhood education. Her vision for nurturing young children within their communities, lives on more than a century later, as Lady Forster Kindergarten continues to be a valued and enduring part of the local landscape. Uniquely, we are the only kindergarten in Victoria located right on the foreshore.

We are committed to offering a rich, play-based program that nurtures curiosity, joy, and discovery. We believe children learn best when their learning begins from within, from a genuine desire to explore, question, and understand the world around them.

As a community-based, not-for-profit kindergarten we are proudly grounded in community values and professional excellence.

The Kindergarten is consistently rated as ‘Exceeding’ against all National Quality Standards.

Child Safety

At Lady Forster Kindergarten, child safety and wellbeing sit at the heart of everything we do. Grounded in strong community values, we are committed to ensuring every child feels secure, connected, respected and free to be themselves.

We believe children learn best when they feel safe and deeply valued. We support and respect all children, as well as our families, staff, Committee of Management and volunteers, working together to create a nurturing environment where children feel confident to explore, participate and grow.

We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting children and uphold a zero-tolerance stance on child abuse. Every concern or allegation is taken seriously and managed promptly, respectfully and in accordance with our policies. Where we hold concerns about a child’s safety, we fulfil our legal and moral obligations to notify relevant authorities, acting with care, professionalism and integrity.

Ongoing professional learning is a priority within our team. Educators, Committee Members and volunteers receive regular training in child safety, mandatory reporting and the Victorian Child Safe Standards to ensure our practices remain informed, reflective and responsive.

Honouring and protecting the cultural identity, dignity and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
· Embracing and celebrating the diversity of children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
· Championing equitable access, meaningful participation and genuine inclusion for children with disability

We understand that inclusion requires ongoing listening, learning and partnership. Through clear policies, transparent processes and a culture of openness and accountability, child safety and wellbeing are embedded in our daily practice, decision-making and community relationships.

At Lady Forster Kindergarten, safeguarding children is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is a shared responsibility and a core value that guides our work every day.

What our Parents Say

At Lady Forster Kindergarten, we are proud of the strong, connected community we’ve built over many years. Hearing directly from our families is the greatest testament to the care, dedication and learning environment we provide. We invite you to read the experiences of our parents and carers, and discover what makes LFK such a special place for children to learn, grow and thrive.

My son would choose this kinder over and over again. It is the happiest, most welcoming and most connected kindergarten in Elwood. He is seen, loved and celebrated and has built beautiful friendships. This has been the best kinder experience.

Parent 4 Year Old Sessional Kindergarten

Our three children have all been through LFK and we have absolutely loved our time there. The teaching staff are exemplary and the beach walks and outdoor activities create an outstanding experience.

Parent 4 Year Old Sessional Kindergarten

LFK is the most wonderful little community. The staff go above and beyond and the beach program has sparked a genuine love of nature. Our daughter has grown in confidence and a love of learning.

Parent Extended Hours Kindergarten

We have been a long term family at LFK and continue to be so happy with the nurturing environment. The educators are wonderful and the beach curriculum is a real highlight.

Parent 4 Year Old Sessional Kindergarten

Sending our child to LFK has been one of the best decisions we have made in our parenting journey. The quality of education is terrific - stable staff, friendly faces and we have never felt the same pressures you feel at a ‘for profit’ centre. The outdoor education has been a standout, and we hear the best stories from these days! There is a feeling that education within areas such as reconciliation, sustainability, environment are all genuine engagements and not just a token effort. The engagement with the parenting community is terrific also with a good balance between social events and communication, but not too over the top.

Parent Extended Hours Kindergarten

Our Programs &
Enrolment

At Lady Forster Kindergarten, our programs are thoughtfully designed to nurture belonging, confidence and curiosity. Grounded in strong relationships, play-based learning and connection to our coastal environment, we offer a rich early learning experience that supports each child’s growth socially, emotionally and academically.