Early Childhood Services

Read our Early Childhood information booklet

Perfect for little hands and curious minds, the Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood is a play-based, hands-on program that promotes a whole-service approach to teaching children about fresh, seasonal, delicious food.

Adaptable to any early childhood setting and with a ‘start small, dream big’ approach, the Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood encourages children to connect with nature and themselves.

“The program is a working toolbox that is constantly opened and expanded upon in every room, every day.”
– Julie Lemmon, Food Education Leader, Clarendon Children’s Centre

Sign up for a free info session

The program supports implementation of the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) National Quality Standard (NQS), and links pleasurable food education to outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

“Children discover real-life, authentic experiences firsthand, which contributes to lifelong learning in the areas of literacy, language, maths, science and sustainability, to name a few.”
– Maryanne Blanch, Educational Leader, Californian Gully Kindergarten

Benefits of the Kitchen Garden Program

The Kitchen Garden Program offers children:

lifelong practical skills
opportunities to experience wellbeing and connectedness
alternate ways of learning for increased engagement
investigations into sustainability and food security.

For educators the program provides:

easy-to-access learning materials adaptable to any service environment
personalised support and guidance from our Support Team, five days a week
professional development opportunities, both online and face-to-face
inspiration and networking via our robust community of practice
increased community and social inclusion.

Complete the online form to join today

Start up or invigorate your Kitchen Garden Program with the early childhood membership package including the full suite of printed educational resources, professional development and more. Equip your educators with play-based learning linked to the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standard.

Start-up Membership Package (24 months)

What's included?

Printed educational resources:
- Introducing the Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood
- Workbook 1: Pleasurable food education
- Workbook 2: A kitchen garden team
- Workbook 3: Establish your garden and kitchen spaces
- Workbook 4: Garden and kitchen experiences and embedded practice
- Workbook 5: Whole-service approach and community engagement
- Workbook 6: Program longevity
Unlimited access to the Shared Table our online resource library and community hub with 1,200+ recipes, kitchen and garden activities, videos, curriculum-linked lesson plans and more!
A Monthly Planner email newsletter with lesson plans, seasonal menus and growing advice.
One place at the Getting Started webinar.
One place at a Program Enrichment Webinar.
Support via phone, email, and 1-on-1 online catch-ups from our experienced Support Team, 5 days a week.
Exclusive access to Virtual Tours, webinars and face-to-face Professional Development sessions nationwide.
An educator apron.
Discounts on additional printed resources from our shop.
Access to Trellis: our online self-assessment and support tool.
Plus! Membership to The Diggers Club.

Price: $975

2-year renewal: $440

Complete the online form to join today

Hungry to get started?

Join a free information session or talk through what membership looks like for you by contacting our Support Team on 13000 SAKGF (13000 72543) or membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

With the continued support of the Ian Potter Foundation, the Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood has flourished from a 3-year pilot commencing in 2017 to an established and valued program for the sector.