Kindergarten at BDC
Our aim with all our evidence based learning and teaching approaches in the Primary School is to be able to build on students’ strengths, personalise the learning and provide experiences for children which foster intrinsically motivated, confident, independent, lifelong learners with the skills to take into the 21st century.
— Mrs Sarah Stokes - Head of Primary
At Bishop Druitt College, our Kindergarten program is designed to ignite a love for learning through play-based and inquiry-led education. With a nurturing environment, innovative facilities, and a focus on wellbeing, we set the foundation for lifelong, confident learners.
We are now taking enrolments for 2028 and beyond.
Due to expansion, we are also enrolling students in K-2 (Stage 1) for 2026 and beyond.
At BDC, we believe in supporting your child from their very first steps toward learning and growth. Begin your journey with us through our Preschool Little Movers Program for children aged 2-3 and 4-6 years old, or connect through our BDC Playgroup at one of our four locations: Valla Beach, Woolgoolga, Urunga, and Coffs Harbour.
As your child grows, our Kindergarten Engagement Coordinator will stay in contact (complete the online enquiry form below), guiding you through the transition to Kindergarten and beyond. We invite you to visit us at our BDC Open Day (27 May 2025) or attend a Kindy Pop-In (24 May 2025) to experience everything BDC has to offer. There is so much more to learn and explore about BDC, we invite you to come and be a part of our community.
BDC can be the start of your child's exceptional educational journey.
Kindergarten enrichment opportunities
Kindergarten Engagement Coordinator
Ensuring a seamless transition and enriching experiences for our youngest learners.
Community Engagement Initiatives
Including signature events like the Picnic & Play to foster strong school-community connections.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Hub, wellbeing dog, wellbeing programs, wellbeing specialised staff.
School Nurse
Providing expert health care and support for students’ wellbeing.
Adventure Playground
Promoting physical activity and adventurous outdoor experiences with a water play area, sandpit, ninja course and more.
Onsite OSHC (Out of School Hours Care)
Convenient and high-quality after school and vacation care for busy families.
Before School Care in the Library
A safe and welcoming environment for early arrivals.
Specialised subjects
Sports and PE, Japanese, Performing Arts, Music
Music, vocal tuition and instrument hire
Cultivating creativity through performance and instrumental learning.
Onsite Music Tuition
Professional lessons available within the school.
Dance Academy
A dynamic program for students to express themselves through movement.
Lunchtime Clubs
Social Club, Gardening Club, Performing Arts Club, Chess Club, Service Club, Joy Choir.
Enrichment programs
BDC Investigations, EYE Week (Express Yourself Everyone Week with creative arts and performances), MSL (Multisensory Structured Learning), Talk for Writing, DDL (Designing for Deeper Learning).
Religion (Chapel of St Francis and St Clare and Godly Play)
BDC Barracudas Sporting Club
Football
For information on Learning and Teaching visit our learning and teaching web page.
Facilities
- Wellbeing Hub
- Performing Arts: BDC Theatre, Dance Studio, Branson Centre
- Primary Library
- Branson Centre
- Three ovals
- Investigations Centre
- Innovations Hub
- Vegetable gardens
- Adventure Playground
- Outside School Hours Care
- The Chapel of St Francis and St Clare
Resources
- Direct bus service
- 1 GB network bandwidth - making us the fastest school on the Mid North Coast
- Latest technology in classrooms such as smart boards
- Climate-controlled classrooms
- On-campus Midford uniform shop outlet
- Modern canteen with a healthy menu and easy online ordering through Flexischools
- BDC App with direct Schoolbox access, Flexischools, Parent Lounge access and more
- Schoolbox Learning Management System
Schoolbox
Schoolbox is a learning management system that provides the tools required to build an online community of learners. The purpose of Schoolbox is to build an online community supporting rich collaboration, communication and learning, by providing access to the tools for the sharing of content, active collaboration and social learning.
The aim of Schoolbox for the primary school is to improve collaboration and communication between the college, students, parents and staff through:
- Placing the learner at the centre and providing students with opportunities to share their learning with others and reflect on their progress in real time
- Enabling quality online learning pedagogy in the classroom
- Improving progressive feedback and assessment for students and parents
- Regular communication to teachers, parents and students.
- Utilising a ‘flipped’ learning model to allow for more targeted teaching time within the classroom
Our daughter’s transition to kindergarten at BDC has been a smooth, seamless experience full of support for both students and parents. The teachers have been wonderful, they are kind, approachable and nurturing. The systems and processes BDC have in place allow for easy, regular communication to parents whether via email or through the Schoolbox app. We could not be happier with our decision to send our children to BDC.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
BDC has exceeded our expectations in all areas! The play based learning has been an absolute game changer for our kindy boy and we are so happy that we made this decision to send him here.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
BDC has been a great choice for one of life’s big decisions. Our child didn’t shed a tear (we did) as he has been overjoyed with learning, investigations, Barkley the school dog, music lessons during class time and learning with a hands on approach. For us wellbeing and community were important decision criteria which is helping with the big transition.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
Our experience so far has been amazing, teachers have been really supportive and my little girl looks forward to going to school everyday. We feel 100% at ease that our children are well looked after and in the right place.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
The professionalism and organisation of the school are outstanding. From well-structured learning activities to clear communication with parents, everything is managed with such care and efficiency. We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this wonderful community and highly recommend BDC to any family looking for an exceptional early childhood education experience.
— Sarah Withers - 2025 Kindy Parent
What has impressed us most is the kindness and inclusion demonstrated by the older children. Their respectful and caring behavior sets such a beautiful precedent, creating a school culture where every child feels valued and supported. It’s evident that this is a direct result of the school’s strong values and dedication to emotional and social development.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
We are absolutely thrilled with our experience at Bishop Druitt College Kindergarten From the moment our daughter, Velvet, started attending, we felt the warmth and nurturing environment that makes this school so special. The investigative learning approach has truly ignited her curiosity, fostering a love for learning already.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
Our son began his Kindergarten journey this year and we were not entirely sure how he would go as we didn't want to compare his journey to his older brother. He is a sensitive soul and we worried that he may find the transition and routine difficult, even after being in Preschool. We couldn't believe how seamlessly he transitioned and how noticeably happy he was with every passing day after his first day. At the end of his first week when he woke up on Saturday, he was disappointed he wasn't going to school. He has been thriving and the teachers have been so supportive along the way. We couldn't have asked for a better start to his schooling journey at BDC.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
The transition to my son starting Kindergarten at BDC has been truly amazing. From someone who planned to homeschool then was lucky enough to get my son into BDC, I had quite a few anxieties about sending my baby off into the world. BDC has really exceeded expectations, they go above and beyond, my son who is highly energetic and never been in any formal learning settings has thrived. His teacher has communicated well, there are plenty of social opportunities to meet other families, great sporting opportunities and even at the end of the day on pickup every one of the teachers is smiling and lovely as they escort my child to my car. I am beyond happy with our decision to send our son to BDC.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
We highly recommend BDC to anyone looking for a caring, nurturing, inclusive environment for your child's education. Our experience has been extremely positive thus far, from our initial communication and interview process and everything in between. We are particularly pleased with how personable and welcoming the staff are and the abundance of opportunities the college offers.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
BDC has been a wonderful and nurturing experience for our daughter. We started with the BDC Playgroup when she was three years old, and from the very beginning, we have felt the warmth of this supportive and inclusive community. Every day, she comes home with a smile on her face, and we have complete trust that she is receiving everything she needs to learn, grow, and thrive. We are so grateful to be part of such a caring and enriching environment.
— 2025 Kindy Parent
Kindergarten Orientation
Our Kindergarten Orientation Program, commencing in October, is designed to support both parents and children as they prepare for the exciting transition to big school. Through engaging sessions, parents gain valuable insights into our school’s processes and routines, while children participate in activities that help them build confidence, form connections with peers and teachers, and develop a sense of belonging within our school community. This welcoming experience ensures a smooth and positive start to their journey at Bishop Druitt College.
Alongside our structured Orientation Program, our Picnic and Play events provide a relaxed, fun gathering for incoming Kindergarten families to connect. These social, play sessions give children the chance to explore their new school environment, interact with peers and teachers, and start building relationships in a comfortable and informal setting. By enjoying playtime and casual activities, children become more familiar with their surroundings, helping them feel a sense of belonging and comfort as they transition into big school.
If you would like to give your child more opportunities to connect with BDC you are welcome to join our BDC Playgroup.
