At Frankston Beach, we are committed to providing a rich and meaningful early learning experience that extends beyond the classroom. Our extracurricular program includes a variety of regular incursions and excursions, as well as one-off specialised events that complement and enhance our educational program. These opportunities are thoughtfully planned to inspire curiosity, celebrate diversity, and support each child’s holistic development—making their time at our service both exciting and deeply enriching.
Beach Babies
Our youngest children, from The Cove to The Hideaway, take part in regular walks to Frankston Beach as part of our Beach Babies program. Using a combination of walking excursions and quad prams, even our littlest learners are able to experience the sensory and calming benefits of being by the sea. Living and learning in a coastal community, the beach is an important part of our environment and identity, and we embrace every opportunity to connect children with this natural landscape in a safe, age-appropriate way.
Bush Babies
Our Bush Babies program invites children from The Cove to The Hideaway to explore the beautiful nature trails along Kananook Creek, which backs directly onto our service. Whether walking or using quad prams, all children are included in these calming and sensory-rich experiences. These peaceful bushland walks offer opportunities for children to observe native wildlife, connect with the natural world, and build an early appreciation for the environment right in our backyard.
Bush Kinder
Our Bush Kinder program offers 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten children the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural world through regular visits to George Pentland Botanic Gardens. Travelling by our centre bus, the children enjoy dedicated time to explore, discover, and connect with nature in a setting that supports curiosity, resilience, and wonder.
Bush Kinder is more than just outdoor play—it’s a rich, inquiry-based learning experience where children observe seasonal changes, study insects and plants, build with natural materials, and engage in open-ended play. These experiences promote problem-solving, creativity, and risk awareness, while encouraging a deep respect for the environment.
Set within the beauty of the bushland, the program also supports social development, emotional regulation, and physical wellbeing. It complements our indoor curriculum by offering an unstructured, child-led learning environment where nature is both the teacher and the classroom.
Beach Kinder
Our Beach Kinder program is a core part of the 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten experience at Frankston Beach, offering children regular and meaningful engagement with the coastal environment. With the beach just a short walk away, this program provides a dynamic outdoor classroom where children can explore, investigate, and learn through hands-on experiences in nature.
Through Beach Kinder, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills as they build sand structures, observe tidal changes, collect natural materials, and discuss marine life. These rich, real-world experiences strengthen their understanding of science, sustainability, and Indigenous perspectives, while also supporting language, numeracy, and social-emotional development.
The beach provides a unique setting for risk-taking, resilience-building, and physical activity, with plenty of opportunities for open-ended play, inquiry-based learning, and reflective conversations. Beach Kinder is not just an excursion—it is an extension of our curriculum that empowers children to learn deeply and meaningfully within their community and natural world.
Nippers Program
As an extension of our Beach Kinder curriculum, our 4-year-old kindergarten children in The Wharf participate in the Nippers Program, delivered in partnership with Surf Life Saving. This specialised program introduces children to water safety, beach awareness, and basic lifesaving skills in a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate way.
Through Nippers, children develop confidence in and around the water while learning about ocean conditions, sun safety, and the role of lifeguards in our community. With activities designed to promote physical coordination, teamwork, and resilience, the Nippers Program not only supports children’s physical development but also fosters a sense of responsibility and respect for our coastal environment. Being part of a coastal community, this program is a meaningful way to connect children with lifelong safety skills and a deeper understanding of their surroundings.
Intergenerational Program
Our Intergenerational Program fosters meaningful connections between the children in The Wharf and residents at a local aged care facility. Through regular visits, children have the opportunity to engage in shared activities such as reading, singing, storytelling, arts and crafts, and games—building genuine relationships across generations.
These visits are a valuable part of our curriculum, supporting children’s social and emotional development while nurturing empathy, patience, and respect for others. In return, the residents benefit from the warmth, joy, and energy the children bring. This reciprocal relationship enriches both generations, creating a strong sense of community, belonging, and mutual understanding.
Frankston Library Visits
Our regular visits to Frankston Library are a valued part of the kindergarten experience, designed to spark a love of books, storytelling, and language from an early age. While the children may not yet be reading independently, these excursions immerse them in rich literacy environments—where they can explore picture books, listen to stories, and develop early comprehension and communication skills.
These visits also help children understand the role of the library within the community and encourage respectful, purposeful engagement with shared spaces. As part of our Intergenerational Program, children borrow books to take with them to the local aged care facility—sharing the joy of storytelling and fostering meaningful connections through pictures, conversation, and imagination. These experiences support the development of early literacy while strengthening each child’s sense of community and belonging.
Musical Minds
All children at Frankston Beach participate in our dynamic Musical Minds program, delivered by passionate educators who bring music to life through live singing, instrumental play, and movement. This program is designed to support each child’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development through joyful, play-based musical experiences.
Using approaches such as Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály methodology, Musical Minds aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and caters to all age groups—including specialised baby music classes with baby-safe instruments, right through to a dedicated xylophone program for our 3- and 4-year-old kindergarten children.
Children are encouraged to sing lyrics and solfa (do-re-mi), explore music in different languages and Auslan, and dance using expressive actions that connect with rhythm and mood. With access to a wide range of instruments and the excitement of live music played on ukulele or guitar, children develop a strong sense of musicality, creativity, and confidence. Musical Minds also provides ongoing support materials for educators and families, helping to reinforce learning beyond the classroom.
Spanish Lessons
At Frankston Beach, children enjoy engaging weekly Spanish lessons led by our dedicated language teacher, Isabel. These sessions introduce children to the Spanish language through songs, stories, games, and interactive group activities that are fun, age-appropriate, and culturally rich.
Isabel creates a joyful and welcoming environment where children are encouraged to explore new words, sounds, and phrases—building their confidence in communication and laying the foundations for bilingual thinking. The program also incorporates music, movement, and visual cues to support understanding and memory.
By introducing a second language in the early years, children not only strengthen their listening and concentration skills, but also develop an appreciation for other cultures and ways of life. Spanish lessons are a wonderful way to expand children’s worldviews while supporting their cognitive and language development in a playful, meaningful way.
Bale Grow Sustainability
Our Bale Grow Sustainability program, led by Tracey, brings hands-on environmental education to life for all age groups at Frankston Beach. Through engaging incursions, children are introduced to concepts like straw bale gardening, worm farming, and the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ethos in fun, age-appropriate ways.
Tracey’s sessions are energetic, interactive, and designed to leave a lasting impact—providing both children and educators with tools, language, and practical knowledge that continue well beyond the incursion itself. Using props, storytelling, and real-life gardening experiences, children build a deepened understanding of sustainability, nature, and their role in caring for the environment.
This program not only supports our environmental curriculum but also empowers educators to confidently embed sustainable practices into daily routines, helping to foster environmentally conscious thinking from the earliest years.
Playball
Our 3- and 4-year-old children in The Hideaway, The Reef, and The Wharf take part in Playball—a high-energy, skill-based sports incursion that combines fun with structured learning. Designed specifically for early learners, Playball introduces children to a wide range of sports and movement activities that promote physical development, confidence, and cooperation.
Each session is delivered in a safe, nurturing environment where children are encouraged to try new things, take safe risks, and develop gross motor skills such as throwing, catching, balancing, and running. The program also places a strong emphasis on important life skills—like listening, following instructions, taking turns, and being part of a team.
Through imaginative games and age-appropriate challenges, Playball supports emotional development by helping children build resilience, overcome fear of failure, and experience the joy of participation. By introducing the foundations of leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship, this program lays a solid base for physical confidence and positive social interactions—both on and off the field.