Our ELC is a nurturing and supportive environment where three, four and five year-olds can grow and develop their love of learning and foster their natural curiosity. Our program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, which is based on the idea that a child who is happy will learn best. Building strong foundations for individual learning maintains our focus on belonging, wellbeing, expression, and engagement of the whole child.
As children approach school age, we focus on extending their abilities, challenging their thinking and developing their confidence to make their transition to primary school. Our core values of Being, Belonging, and Becoming ensure that we promote the development of positive qualities for well-rounded children.
Our team of passionate educators believe the most powerful way that children learn is through play, delivered by high quality structured programs and aesthetically inviting play spaces. We value and place great importance on collaborative group work and the sharing of thoughts and ideas. Learning projects are creative, inviting and challenging, allowing the children to build on existing knowledge and make new discoveries.
We offer our unique Bush Adventure Program taking advantage of the Darebin Creek and the natural fauna and flora that surrounds our school. We provide the ideal learning environment for children to develop a strong connection with nature. Current research is overwhelmingly in favour of nature play for children due to its many benefits. Explorations in nature can result in improved problem-solving skills, independence, resilience, and leadership, while allowing children to pursue their interests and curiosity in an imaginative and creative way.
Our ELC offers a unique Greek language immersion program which links with the focus on embracing multiculturalism in the school. The program sees students undertake their daily activities whilst being encouraged to communicate in a language other than English. We believe that naturalistic language acquisition in the early years is the most effective type of language learning, and it is also an essential component of the transition into our language programs in the primary school.
ELC children are also provided other specialist opportunities while under our care. Alphington offers Physical Education sessions in our school gymnasium, taught by a trained PE teacher. The program aims to develop gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Music is interwoven throughout our daily activities in the ELC, as well as being taught in scheduled lessons which introduce children to a range of instruments, genres, and musical skills. Children also develop an appreciation for reading through designated library and storytelling sessions.
We hope your child’s time with us in the Early Learning Centre is positive and enriching, a place where children develop a lifelong love of learning.
