BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

MARCH 5, 2025

Essendon Football Club won their first Premiership back in 1891, and if your child was born nearer 2021, then you’ll be excited to know that the club is taking play-based learning to a whole new level. 

Essendon FC has just launched the Bomber Kids early learning program, and if you’re a Melbourne family with an under-five, this childcare incursion is a real score! 

The Bomber Kids program is being offered at kindies and long day cares in Melbourne’s Hume, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley and Macedon Ranges council shires, and this footy-based program has been specially designed to bring out the best in little learners.  

This means that although AFL can get pretty competitive for us adults, there’s no winning or losing with Bomber Kids – just a great focus on learning. 

Here are three reasons you’ll want to get a Bomber Kids session up and running at your early learning service: 

1. Bomber Kids is inclusive and positive for everyone involved  

Each Bomber Kids session is tailored to meet the unique needs of the service it’s happening at, and under-fives don’t need to be super sporty to benefit from the Essendon- and AFL-themed activities.  

Early learners of all ages and abilities will get a lot out of a Bomber Kids session, and whether your child wants to burn off some beans, feel part of a team, or try (and succeed) at something new, Bomber Kids has a great individual impact.  

And speaking of impact, you can rest assured that all the footy-based activities are non-contact, and trained Essendon FC staff bring along age-appropriate equipment, like lightweight footballs and kid-sized goals, to keep things safe.  

There’s also a culture of positive sportsmanship, so feelings won’t get hurt either!  

With Bomber Kids, children learn the importance of cooperation, respect and safe play. 

The coaches and educators model respectful language and behaviour for children to mirror, and there’s a focus on participation and fun, which makes the sessions enjoyable for everyone.  

2. Bomber Kids teaches young children a whole range of skills  

Physical skills are obviously a big part of the program, with children getting plenty of opportunities to practise essential AFL movements, like running, jumping, kicking and handballing – honing their fine and gross motor skills as they go.  

However, Bomber Kids teaches littlies some really important social-emotional skills as well.  

Soft skills, like teamwork and communication are in the mix, and the program also helps to prepare children for school by developing their active listening, collaboration and turn-taking skills.  

Along the way, little learners build their confidence, both physically and mentally, and it’s great to know that the program ties in with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).  

The EYLF guides early childhood teachers and educators.to support and nurture under-fives’ learning, and the Bomber Kids program has been designed to integrate some key themes of the EYLF, with the help of hands-on activities.  

For example:  

• A fun handball game supports play-based learning, as children experiment with their movements, navigate space, and collaborate as a team.  
  
  

• A casual kicking game is great for communication because groups interact in verbal and non-verbal ways, such as by saying "Kick it to me!" or using hand signals to show a planned move.
  
  

• And a simple ‘pass the ball’ drill encourages social and emotional development, as littlies learn to work together, share in each other’s successes, and manage their emotions if they miss a pass or are ‘out’ of the game.  

 

3. Bomber Kids helps to foster a love of footy! 

AFL brings a lot of joy to a lot of Australians, and Bomber Kids introduces under-fives to the game in a natural, exciting and accessible way.  

Your child’s enthusiasm for the game will be great to see, and you can channel this good feeling by playing some footy as a family, going along to a game, watching one on telly, or sharing some highlights online. 

It’s all good, and already the Bomber Kids program is winning lots of fans amongst under-fives (and their grown-ups). 

Feedback about the program has been resoundingly positive, including at Explorers Early Learning – Essendon. 

And if you’d love to see a Bomber Kids session happening at your child’s early learning service, then feel free to share this KindiCare article and Essendon's info with the Centre Director. 

They can then express interest in a session by emailing community@essendonfc.com.au