Literacy for Kids
Encourage early literacy through purposeful phonics and language play that builds fluency, understanding, and expressive confidence.
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Baby, Toddler and Kids Classes in Doncaster
Centre Phone
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm Saturdays are fully booked
Term Break Hours
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Our Early Learning Classes in Doncaster
Our Doncaster early learning centre has supported local families for more than a decade and is home to a team of 18 educators and administrative staff. Located in the office tower within Westfield Doncaster, the centre offers the convenience of a shopping-centre location in a quieter setting away from the main retail areas.
Baby Classes in Doncaster (6 to 12 months)
Babies learn through a gentle sequence of sounds, textures, songs, visual activities and simple games. Classes are limited to six babies, allowing each child to participate at their own pace while a parent learns practical ideas to use between classes.
Toddler Classes in Doncaster (1 to 3 years)
Toddlers move through a lively sequence of short activities, including songs, flashcards, games and hands-on tasks. The varied pace introduces vocabulary, early numeracy, memory and fine motor skills while keeping children actively involved throughout the class.
Kinder Classes in Doncaster (3 to 5 years)
Kinder classes bring together early literacy, numeracy, memory, problem-solving and creative thinking. Preschooler activities become increasingly challenging as children learn to follow instructions, think independently and approach new tasks with confidence. New students must enrol before their fifth birthday.
Kids Classes in Doncaster (5 to 9 years)
Children who started Shichida before turning five can continue into pre-primary and primary classes, building on earlier learning through speed reading, mental maths, advanced memory activities and critical thinking.
What do Parents Say?
What is the Shichida Method?
The Shichida Method is a research-tested whole-brain training program for children aged 6 months to 9 years old, leveraging the “Golden Period” of development. It uses fun, fast-paced, multisensory activities to nurture both IQ and EQ, building memory, literacy, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Class Breakdown by Age
Skills Your Child Will Build in Every Class
Your child will develop a variety of essential skills – explore 15 ways Shichida supports your child’s success!
Numeracy Skills
Expand number sense through guided number play that sharpens accuracy, reasoning, and problem-solving ability.
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Flashcards
Train the brain through high-speed visual learning that boosts memory, expands vocabulary, and strengthens rapid thinking.
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Memory Training
Advance strong working memory through engaging exercises that improve recall, processing speed, and long-term retention.
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Critical Thinking
Elevate reasoning skills through fun, thought-provoking activities that develop flexibility, insight, and confident problem analysis.
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Intuition Training
Nurture instinctive thinking through guided games that build confidence, decision-making skills, and trust in natural ability.
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Speed Reading
Build fast, confident readers through proven techniques that improve comprehension, focus, and the ability to absorb information with ease.
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Improving Concentration
Support focus and attention through engaging activities that support faster comprehension, stronger memory, and confident learning.
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Raising EQ and IQ
Strengthen emotional intelligence and thinking skills together, building confident, resilient children ready to thrive in any situation.
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Fine Motor Skills
Refine hand coordination and finger strength through purposeful activities that prepare children for writing, independence, and school readiness.
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Image Training
Develop visualisation skills through guided imagery that strengthens creativity, focus, and confident self-expression.
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Problem Solving
Grow logical thinking and creativity through engaging challenges that strengthen resilience, independence, and confident decision-making.
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Field of Vision
Develop eye coordination, tracking and focus through specialised activities that support concentration, memory, and confident learning.
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Develop A Love Of Learning
Inspire natural curiosity through joyful, pressure-free learning that builds confidence, resilience, and a lifelong desire to grow.
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Enhance Parent-Child Bond
Build a deep, lasting connection through guided play and purposeful activities that strengthen trust, confidence, and emotional security.
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Each 50-minute class moves through 20 to 25 carefully planned activities. The short, purposeful format keeps the lesson varied while introducing skills across memory, language, numeracy, fine motor development and imagination. Children are not expected to master every activity straight away; skills are revisited and extended as they progress.
One parent participates throughout the class, giving them an opportunity to see how their child learns and understand the purpose behind the activities. Parents also leave with practical ideas they can use at home during the week.
The Shichida Method was developed by Japanese educator Professor Makoto Shichida in 1958. Since the first Australian centre opened in 2009, more than 18,000 families have attended Shichida classes.
Class Times, Fees and Open Hours
Shichida classes run Monday to Saturday during term time. Children are grouped in six-month age bands, so available times vary by age group. Enter your details to view current class options without committing to enrol. You can also share your child’s date of birth and preferred days with the Doncaster team, and they’ll help you find a suitable class. If your preferred class is full, you can join the waitlist.
Centre hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm. Term breaks, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Four 10-week terms a year, each including two replacement classes. Public holidays aren’t charged. Re-enrolment for the following term is handled in Week 7.
Why Parents Choose Shichida Doncaster
- A dedicated team of eighteen: Educators and administrative staff support children and families across ten classrooms.
- Up to four hours of free parking: Two hours free as standard, extended to four through the Westfield Plus app.
- A quieter setting within Westfield: Level 4 of the office tower offers a calm learning environment away from the busy retail areas.
- A play corner for early arrivals: A welcoming space for families to wait before class, with a pram-friendly layout.
- Two replacement classes a term: Flexibility when your child misses a class.
- Weekly parent-and-child classes: A consistent weekly session where you take part alongside your child and learn ways to support their learning.
Preparing for school means building confidence alongside early literacy and numeracy. At Shichida, children practise listening, following instructions and taking turns, while developing memory, fine motor skills and independent thinking through varied activities.
For families considering Doncaster Primary, Birralee Primary, St Gregory the Great, Doncaster Gardens or Beverley Hills Primary, these skills provide a foundation for the transition to school. Children have regular opportunities to learn alongside others, try new tasks and grow familiar with a structured classroom routine.
Meet the Shichida Doncaster team
Shichida Doncaster Centre Manager
Summayya
Centre Manager Summayya first came to Shichida as a parent. Now leading a team of 18 at our Doncaster centre, she brings personal experience and professional insight to conversations about whether Shichida is right for your child.
How to Find Us at Doncaster
From the ground floor: Park in the Yellow Car Park via Doncaster Road, head towards Starbucks and then the Commonwealth Bank. The lifts to Level 4 are directly opposite the bank. We’re at the left end of the passage as you exit.
From the first floor: Take the passage between JNBY and Palermo Perfumes, head towards the Medical Centre, and follow the corridor past the toilets to the lifts.
Parking: Two hours free as standard, or up to four hours free using the Westfield Plus app. Allow extra time on Saturdays.
Suburbs we serve: families come to us from Doncaster East, Templestowe, Bulleen, Balwyn, Box Hill, Blackburn, Donvale and Park Orchards.
What Could Your Child Do With 50 Minutes?
Join your child for a trial at Shichida Doncaster and see how games, songs, flashcards and hands-on activities come together in a purposeful learning experience. Classes are available for babies, toddlers and kinder-aged children.
FAQ: Shichida Early Learning Centre Doncaster
A trial class is $70 per child. Enrolling costs a one-off $100 life membership, then $700 per child for each 10-week term with GST included.
Two hours are free as standard, and the Westfield Plus app extends that to four. Allow extra time on Saturdays, when the centre is busiest.
Children can begin from 6 months, and enrolment needs to start before your child’s fifth birthday.
Yes. All classes run from the Level 4 centre at Westfield Doncaster, a few minutes from Doncaster East, and a good number of our families travel from there along with Templestowe, Bulleen and Donvale.
Yes, our sensory classes help babies to explore sound, touch, music and visual activities alongside early memory and language.
It’s in the office tower above it, on Level 4, reached by lift from the ground or first floor. That makes it considerably quieter than the centre itself.
Monday to Saturday in term time, with Saturdays currently full. Groups are built from children within three to six months of each other in age, so a fixed grid would place your child by whichever slot was free rather than by stage.
Yes, where there’s space in the right age group. You’re charged for the remaining weeks only, and Week 7 is when re-enrolment happens.
Yes, one parent or carer attends each 50-minute session. It’s how the activities carry into the week at home.
Saturdays fill quickly, so ask about weekdays first. If nothing fits, SHICHIDA at Home runs the same program online through weekly videos, printable workbooks and a flashcard library.
There are two others at Glen Waverley and Highpoint, all running the same weekly program.
Shichida Kids Success Stories
See what parents say and how Shichida kids are applying the skills they’ve learned in class to achieve amazing things in the real world.
Shichida Students Achieve Outstanding Year 3 NAPLAN Results
See Year 3 NAPLAN results shared by Shichida families, including Strong and Exceeding achievement across numeracy, reading, writing and language.
From Shichida Children in Japan to Shichida Parents in Australia
Marie and Yoshi attended Shichida as children in Japan. Now medical professionals and parents in Australia, they have chosen Shichida for their own child.
Ryan Recognised with Two World Record Achievements at Just 3 Years Old
Ryan from Shichida Parramatta received two World Record recognitions at age 3 for outstanding memory, flashcard recall and early learning skills.