Prep Program in Gunnedah | Kindergarten Prep
Mrs Bec O'Gorman
Gunnedah Prep Teacher
Partnering with parents to provide a safe, nurturing, Christ-centred learning environment that enables children to be lifelong learners.
Carinya Gunnedah offers a caring Kindergarten Preparatory Program for Prep (4–5 years). The play-based program helps children build early learning skills in a nurturing, Christ-centred environment, encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.
Children must be 4 years old by 31 January to enter Prep. The program runs for up to two years before Kindergarten. Children must be toilet-trained before starting.
The Prep Program runs from Tuesday to Thursday with a three-day structure to promote consistency in learning. Learning experiences are theme-based each term, combining play and structured activities. Children are supported as they develop social skills, early literacy, numeracy, and an understanding of themselves, others, and God. In the second half of the year, Prep students make regular visits to the Kindergarten classroom to ensure a smooth transition to full-time school.
Prep at a Glance
Play-based program with theme-based learning each term
Introduction to early literacy, numeracy, & pre-writing skills
Structure: Three-day structured program (Tuesday–Thursday) with the option of a fourth day [Friday, limited places]
A nurturing, Christ-centred environment focused on social development & confidence
Hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity & creativity
Regular transition visits to the Kindergarten classroom in the second half of the year
Strong focus on readiness for school and resilience in Christ
Prep Facilities
Carinya Gunnedah Prep is held in one large, dedicated learning room designed to be bright, welcoming, and flexible for a range of activities. Children enjoy a spacious outdoor area with a large undercover playground, sandpits, and access to a generous sports oval. Prep students share these play spaces with the Junior School, giving them opportunities to build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of the wider school community.
The program balances play-based discovery with structured activities, encouraging children to develop early literacy, numeracy, and social skills in a nurturing, Christ-centred environment. Outdoor play and exploration play a key role in the experience, helping children develop physically, build resilience, and foster creativity.
PREP TO KINDY REBATE & FEE
Families whose children are enrolled in the Kindergarten Preparatory Program and continue into Kindergarten the following year are eligible for a 50% rebate off the total fees paid the year before Kindergarten. This rebate is applied directly to the family’s School Fees Account at the start of the Kindergarten school year, reducing the Total Annual Fees due.
Children enrolled in the Kindergarten Preparatory Program are assumed to continue their enrollment for the entire year, attending the same number of days each school week. Refer to Carinya Tuition Fees for details on the 2025 annual fee.
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We believe education is more than academics; it’s a journey of faith, community, and discovery. Every child is known by name, valued as an image-bearer of God, and encouraged to explore the wonder of His world with curiosity and joy. Whether you’re a parent seeking a Christ-centred learning environment or a teacher called to nurture hearts and minds, Carinya is a place where relationships flourish, learning is purposeful, and lives are shaped for service.
