Early Learning Centre (From Age 3)
Early Learning Centre – Age 3 to School ready
Our Early Learning Centre welcomes children from age three and offers a safe place for children to build connections, inquire, discover, wonder, problem solve, imagine, be creative, share, participate and explore risk-taking. Providing a unique canvas to foster growth, spark imagination and inspire a life-long love of learning.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasis is placed on promoting self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, communication, socialisation, collaboration and self-help skills.
Our ELC is acknowledged as one of the highest quality Centres in South Australia.
We are registered as a long day care centre, open 48 weeks of the year from 8.00am – 6pm.
Eligible families can access the Child Care Subsidy.
As advocates for the rights of young children, we believe it is our responsibility to acknowledge the children as citizens of the world from birth. Educators hold a strong image of the child as being capable, competent, curious and full of potential. They are able to participate, contribute and engage meaningfully with their various communities.
We believe that learning does not occur in isolation, but rather within respectful relationships with people and place. Our environment reflects this and offers a safe place for children to build connections, discover, wonder, problem solve, imagine, be creative, share, participate and explore risk.
Educators are researchers who model lifelong learning and strive towards a professional culture of reflective practice where ongoing professional development is supported and encouraged.
We value our partnerships with families and acknowledge that children learn within this cultural context. We understand that they bring this knowledge and a wide range of experiences with them to the ELC.
Children will be nurtured to embrace and embody Christian values through a play based curriculum. Play is a means through which children find stimulation, well-being and happiness, and is the means through which they grow physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
We intentionally seek out outdoor learning environments that complement and enhance children’s development and wellbeing. We regularly visit the Bush Block to ensure children at this Centre experience and enjoy the special nature of being outdoors and grow in their appreciation of the natural world and how to care for it.
We respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Peramangk people, and thank them for sharing their country with us.
Working in partnership with families, ELC educators use the five Learning Outcomes of the Early years Learning Framework to guide their planning for children’s learning. Planning is emergent, based on children’s interest and strengths and this requires observations, documentation, creative brainstorming and flexibility. Topics for study are captured through the talk of the children, through community and family events, as well as the known interests of the children.
The Five Learning Outcomes of the Framework are;
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of well being
- Children are confident and involved learners; and
- Children are effective communicators.
Children learn naturally through play and our children are immersed in a rich play environment where they have opportunities to engage in meaningful activities which will foster growth, learning and development- physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. We value the importance of the outdoors and believe it is the ideal context to encourage children to be themselves, to explore, to experiment and to move.
Children experience several specialist programs during their pre-school years, including Physical Education, Music, French, Sustainable Outdoor Learning Environments (SOLE) and Library. We integrate specialist skills within our classroom learning and project focus. Children at our ELC become familiar with the Junior School and progress seamlessly into Foundation.
We work with each child to build their confidence and familiarity with the School to ensure a smooth transition to Foundation, whether the Term 1 or Term 3 intake. This includes regular and close connections with the Foundation classroom and teacher, frequent visits in the term prior to commencement and ongoing discussion and encouragement.
Our staff at Faith work with each child and their family to make a start to school as positive as it can be.