Trusted Childcare and Early Education in Kialla

SMALL FRIENDS CHILDCARE & EDUCATION Kialla

Small Friends Childcare Kialla is a purpose-built service located in Sanctuary Park, Kialla. Right by an open field and playground which will lead to regular excursions and chances to interact with the local community.

Book A Tour Today

Come and see the Centre for yourself, meet the team and have all your questions answered. Book a tour today.

Our Centre Philosophy

At Small Friends Early Learning Centre, we are committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is valued, respected, and encouraged to grow and thrive. We believe that young children are naturally curious, capable, and full of potential. Our philosophy centres on the idea that learning is a joyful, dynamic process that happens through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions with others.

Holistic Development

Respect for Individuality

Each child is unique, with their own interests, strengths, and pace of development. At Small Friends, we value and honor these differences, ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and supported. Our learning experiences are tailored to meet the diverse needs of all children, allowing them to explore, express, and discover the world in ways that resonate with them.

Play-Based Learning

We believe that play is the most powerful tool for learning. Through play, children build essential life skills such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication. We provide a variety of stimulating, hands-on experiences in an environment that encourages exploration, imagination, and inquiry. In this space, children have the freedom to experiment, make choices, and express themselves.

Building Relationships

At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that strong relationships are fundamental to the learning process. We foster positive, trusting relationships with each child, as well as with families and the wider community. These connections create a sense of belonging and provide a strong foundation for learning and growth.

Collaboration with Families

We view families as our partners in the educational journey. Open communication and collaboration with families ensure that we create a supportive learning environment that reflects the values and cultural backgrounds of each child. By working together, we can provide a consistent, holistic approach to each child’s development.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

We aim to instil in children an appreciation for the environment, the importance of kindness, and the values of empathy and social responsibility. Our curriculum encourages children to explore their role in the world, learn about nature, and develop a sense of care for their community.

Commitment to Excellence

At Small Friends Early Learning Centre, we are dedicated to providing high-quality care and education. Our educators are skilled, passionate, and continuously strive to enrich their practice through professional development. We work together to create an environment where children feel empowered to explore, create, and grow to their fullest potential. By fostering a safe, stimulating, and supportive environment, we aim to inspire children to develop the skills, values, and confidence that will serve as the foundation for their lifelong learning journey.

WELCOME TO OUR CENTRE

At Small Friends Centre we use Xplor/Playground as our primary platform for communicating with families. Through this system, we share important information such as upcoming events, Incursions/Excursions, daily routines, individual learning stories, goals, and developmental summaries for each child. We strongly value family input and regularly seek your support and feedback when considering any changes or improvements.

Xplor/Playground allows for open and honest communication between families and our team, helping us work in partnership to ensure we are providing the highest standard of care and education for every child in our care.

We have Passionate, diverse team of educators who strongly believe working in child’s best Interest and abiding by National Quality Standards.

We provide high quality care to all our children in care.
A warm, inviting and caring team which is offering incredible learning programs and extended opening hours to support families.
Secure, safe indoor and outdoor learning spaces filled with state-of-the-art educational resources.
Your child's health and safety is our top priority.
Camera surveillance operates in all our rooms.

Before & After School Care in Kialla

Looking for reliable care around school hours? Our Before & After School Care program provides a safe, fun and supportive environment for primary school children. Whether you need early drop‑off, afternoon care, or a full day during school holidays, we’ve got your family covered.

Program highlights

Fees

Take A Look Around

Take a look around our childcare center by viewing our picture gallery! See the joyful moments, creative activities, and safe, nurturing environment we provide. Our photos showcase the happy faces and exciting experiences your child will enjoy here. Come explore and imagine your child thriving with us.

Begin the Adventure at Small Friends

To explore the centre, chat with our team of Educators and learn more about our high-quality curriculum, book a tour now.

Rhythm of The Day

At Small Friends, each day is a new adventure filled with curiosity, creativity, and connection. While we follow each child’s individual needs as much as possible, here’s a glimpse into what a typical day might look like, though no two days are ever quite the same.

Our programs are designed to engage children in hands-on, play-based learning experiences that spark imagination, build confidence, and nurture a lifelong love of discovery.

We also provide freshly cooked, nutritious meals daily, helping to fuel growing minds and bodies throughout their busy day.

Morning
Afternoon
Pick Up

• Breakfast time where families are welcome to stay and enjoy breakfast with the children in their room.

•Handover time with children, families and our friendly educators. There’s a chance to share what’s important for the day and any news from home.

•An opportunity to play and discover with open-plan play in family groups and multi-age groupings.

• Another nutritious meal expertly prepared by families are invited to join the children for meals and excursions if they wish.

• As you arrive to pick up child, there’s a chance to speak with our educators and share news about the day. Our Xplor App also allows you to stay in touch 24/7 wherever you are.

Meet Our Centre Manager

Meet Our new leadership team.

We have our Centre Director Mel Sakaria,
AD/ Admin Nella Stevens follow by our Educational leader/ Kinder Teacher Jasmin Siuloa.
We have recently joined Small Friends with a vision to build and strengthen intentional teaching’s to all children.

We aim to achieve this vision by continuing to support our team of educators and working alongside them to provide hand’s on coaching and mentoring.

My career started over 12 years ago, holding a Diploma in children’s service’s. Commencing my career as a lead educator, progressing through a few years later into a management role where I later took a leap of faith and agreed to a Centre Director position and I have not looked back since.
As a Centre Director, I believe families play an essential role in children’s development and learning, as a leader I will continue to foster and build trusting relationship’s and connections with our families, children and community.

Our AD/ Admin also hold’s a Diploma qualification with a wealth of experience in the administration role.
Nella brings the balance and final touches to our trio.
Nella brings phenomenal skill’s to both her dual role’s.
Nella love’s to take on a challenge and has shown her strength as an educator as well as administrator.
From the admin role, Nella grew her interest in learning more about child development and building on self growth.
Studying her Diploma and taking on leadership roles supporting leaders and the management team in the past few year’s.

Jasmine our amazing Educational leader & kinder teacher hold’s a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Jas brings a wealth of knowledge in her pedagogy teaching and have been supporting children grow in their learning for over 15 year’s, as well as supporting educator’s and her peers grow and develop as individual’s.

If you are looking for care and kindergarten for your child, we look forward to meeting you and your child.

Our Reviews

Insights from Families

From heartfelt testimonials to practical insights, our parent reviews offer a glimpse into the diverse journeys of families navigating childcare, education, and beyond. Whether you’re seeking reassurance, inspiration, or practical advice, these firsthand accounts provide valuable perspectives to help guide your parenting journey.

    
 
 
         
   Gurpreet Rehal 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great daycare and kindergarten! Caring and friendly staff, a safe and welcoming environment, and great activities for the kids. Highly recommended!
  
 
        
   Freddy Thuruthikattu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend it to any parent!
The staff are warm, caring, and truly dedicated to the children's happiness and growth. Our child looks forward to going every single day and has learned so much in such a nurturing environment.
  
 
        
   Ravinder Kaur 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great childcare centre! The staff are caring, friendly and wonderful with the children. My daughter is happy and well looked after. Highly recommended! ❤️
  
 
        
   Hussain Hamid 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so happy with this childcare centre. My child absolutely loves attending each day and is always excited to go. The educators are wonderful caring, nurturing, and genuinely invested in the children’s wellbeing and development. The environment is warm, welcoming, and supportive, which gives us great peace of mind as parents. Highly recommend to any family looking for quality childcare!
  
 
        
   Krupa Patel 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have had a wonderful experience with this childcare centre. The educators are caring, attentive, and genuinely invested in the children's development and wellbeing. The learning activities are engaging and age-appropriate, helping children build confidence, social skills, and independence. I will be suggesting all families to put your child in Little Star Early Learning in Shepparton.
  
 
        
   Temitope Jethro 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter started attending a few months ago and she’s really fond of the kindergarten simply because of the activities, the educators and the warm, nurturing environment they’ve created. She comes home happy, and as a parent, that means the world to me.
  
 
        
   Askari Naqvi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter is currently attending this childcare centre and she really enjoys it. She has made a lot of friends and always feels happy and comfortable there. The staff are highly trained, caring, and supportive, and the teachers always communicate with us about our daughters daily progress and activities. We are very happy with the care and environment provided.
  
 
        
   Miroshini Leonard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We strugle to get a place to put our kids on our hardest time and they accepted our request and enrolled my 3 kids on a very short time period. Really happy about their service, very flexible, understanding. The team is very friendly.
  
 
        
   amandeep kaur 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My two children attend this centre, and we are so grateful for the caring and supportive environment they provide. We feel very lucky to be part of it.
  
 
        
   Karmjot minhas 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic childcare center. Small Friends Kialla is always clean, well-organized, and full of engaging activities for the kids. The educators are professional and clearly passionate about early childhood education. The transition into care was smooth for us thanks to their patience and communication. 5 stars!

FAQ's

Got questions? Visit our FAQ section to learn about our programs, operating hours, our educators, and more. Discover how Small Friends Childcare supports your child’s development.

OPENING HOURS

Open 6:30am to 6:30pm
Monday to Friday

OUR EDUCATORS

Our team of Educators are committed and passionate about ensuring your child will be safe, nurtured and cared for every day. At Small Friends, children are encouraged to engage in interest-led play that creates learning and meaningful experiences.

Our Educators seek to optimise diverse learning opportunities and implement the curriculum as framed by the Early Years Learning Framework.

YOU AND YOUR CHILD

All Small Friends Childcare Centres provide a Centre-to-Family communication platform so families can maintain contact with their children’s experiences through photos, stories and learning outcomes.

Our Centre use Xplor and each family is provided with a secure login to access on their computers, mobiles or apps.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CENTRE

Small Friends Childcare and Education – Kialla is located only a stone’s throw away from St Anne’s Primary School, and nestled away in a newly developed area of Kialla offering a prime location which is still close to the town center and doesn’t add much extra travel time to the surrounding communities.

CHILD SAFETY ORGANISATION

At Small Friends Kialla, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are fully committed to creating a secure, inclusive, and nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and respected at all times.

We actively uphold the National Child Safe Standards and embed these principles into every aspect of our service, from our daily interactions to our policies, procedures, and staff training. Our educators and staff are trained in child protection, and dedicated to fostering a culture where children’s voices are heard and their rights are protected.

We believe that every child has the right to grow, learn, and thrive in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.

As part of our commitment, we continually review and improve our practices to ensure we maintain the highest standards of child safety and care.

Reach out to us , Our team is here to help

Our friendly team at Small Friends Childcare is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to find out how we can help.