Program information

What do you throw away that we can reuse? From bottle lids to magazines or wood off cuts, just about anything can be made into a masterpiece.

Contact our Kindergarten Support Officer on kindersupport@surfcoast.vic.gov.au  if your business or home has reusable items or drop them at the Torquay Children’s HUB, 27 Grossmans Road, Torquay (please, clean items only!)

In the early years, sustainability involves teaching our young children about the importance of protecting the environment, conserving resources, and reducing waste. This is important because the actions we take today will have a significant impact on the world that our children and future children will inherit.

This is why Surf Coast Shire Early Years Services have created the ‘Surf Coast Junk Trunk’.

Our goal is to promote the use of recycled materials, reclaimed resources and look to natural items instead of constantly purchasing from resource catalogues, to be curious creators not consumers. 

Our children love to recycle, becoming curious with loose parts and creating imaginative and amazing items.

As children grow, it’s essential to expose them to various experiences and environments to develop their social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Excursions / Incursions are an excellent way to achieve this, especially during their Early Learning Years.

They offer hands-on learning opportunities that help children develop a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around them.

At our Kindergartens, your child will take part in a range of excursions and incursions centred on the learning outcomes of the Australian Early Years Learning Framework. This framework focuses on supporting your child and helping them:

1. build a strong sense of identity,
2. feel connected and contribute to the world,
3. develop a strong sense of wellbeing,
4. be a confident and involved learner, and
5. become an effective communicator.

Here are some benefits of excursions for your child:

New information and skills

Your child can explore, experiment and try new things in a safe and supervised setting. Whether it involves an educational trip to a museum or a fun outing at the park, an excursion offers new experiences that are crucial for your child’s development. Your child will learn about the world around them and develop new interests, preferences and skills.

Relationships and social skills

Your child will have plenty of opportunities to socialise with their peers and the wider community in various settings. These interactions can help your child develop vital social skills and self-confidence, build positive relationships and learn how to share and cooperate.

Physical activity

During an excursion, your child may have the chance to walk, run around or play and, in general, be physically active. This can help them develop their gross motor skills and get the exercise they need to stay healthy and fit.

Imagination and creativity

Excursions/Incursions can spark your child’s imagination and creativity by opening their mind to new experiences, possibilities and ideas. This can lead to improved cognitive development and a greater appreciation for the world around them.