ECMS unpacks the difference between sessional and integrated kinder

With significant reform now well established in the Victorian kindergarten space, Damian Cowell from ECMS has undertaken an exploration of the differences between sessional and integrated kindergarten programs.

What is an integrated kinder program? 

Integrated kinder, he explained, is a program in selected early learning centres, where families also book their child into long day care. Long day care offers working families the opportunity to drop off their child and have them cared for by early learning professionals. 

With integrated kinder programs, children can attend kindergarten within a long day care setting, covering both educational and care needs throughout the day, for up to 12 hours.

Parents pay a daily fee for the long day care component of their program. Typically these programs are offered year round, closing only for public holidays, and in most cases, on weekends. 

Children aged three and four years attend kindergarten, in a setting where children from birth to six years of age attend long day care.

When asked what makes families typically choose the integrated option, ECMS Area Manager Rukmini Bose-Rahman had the following insights. 

“In integrated kinder,” she said, “you still get all your benefits because you’re getting your teacher, and the best part is, you’re getting access to a teacher and learning environments longer than you’re getting in sessional kinder. You’re also getting all the social benefits of mixed age groups across the community.”

The day in an integrated setting, she continued, is structured somewhat differently. 

“There’s a slow, rhythmic flow to the day. Families can drop off and pick up as they wish and in integrated kinder, all ECMS services provide lunch, whereas at sessional kinder, children bring their own food.”

“The flexibility of hours is the biggest advantage for families,” she continued. 

“At sessional kinder there is a set time for drop off and pick up, sometimes with no after care like there is at school. In integrated, you pay for the day and then you can collect your child at any time up until closing hour, which might be 6 or 6.30pm, depending on the service.”

What is a sessional kinder program? 

Sessional kinder programs are only for children three and four years of age, and are fully funded by the State Government for up to 15 hours a week, for up to 7.5 hours each day. 

These programs are run on set days each week, with specific blocks of time. Typically these programs run for 40 weeks each year, in line with school terms. 

“Also, sessional kindergarten can suit families financially,” Ms Bose-Rahman said. “Eligible families can access up to 15 hours of free kindergarten. These services may suit families who are working because they run for 7.5 hours daily with fixed start and finish times.”

“You’re localised,” she continued, “so you build wider connections in your local community. With long day care you may not get into the place of your choice, you might have to go to another suburb, which may not be in your local community. The community aspect is really important for transition to school, for both children and carers from a relational and support perspective.”

To learn more about the distinction between sessional and integrated kindergarten programs please see here.