Purpose built in 2020 with our youngest learners in mind, the ELC is light filled with many wonderful features including art rooms, child size sinks for play, accessible kitchen and nature play outdoor area.

As the ELC is located on the grounds of the College, your child will also enjoy the benefit of many additional spaces including the Junior School Library, playground and oval.

If you are considering the College for your child’s school start, the transition can be made so much easier. From new friendships to take into school, to becoming familiar with Junior School teachers and the spaces, to getting to know our Principal and Head of Junior School.

Please read more about our programs and our approach to starting your child on their exciting learning journey. You can also view our ELC Handbook, by clicking here.

I would love to welcome you for a personalised tour. Visiting our ELC is the best way to meet our staff and learn more about our approach to early learning and see our wonderful environment for yourself. To book into a small group tour, please click here or call 8381 0422 to arrange an individual tour.

We know this is an important decision and we must feel right for your family.

International research tells us, that for every year a child spends in a high-quality early learning program like ours, their school outcomes in literacy and numeracy improve dramatically.

We also recognise what is important when you are looking for an early learning centre: it is all about the feel of the centre, finding a place where your child can explore and develop their full potential and, where memories are made.

Woodcroft College has developed a purpose-built Early Learning Centre, ensuring that the child is at the centre of the learning environment, and the environment becomes ‘the third teacher’.

Our outdoor area encourages children to be excited to explore and immerse themselves in the natural world. Indoors is filled with natural light, private spaces for quiet reflection and resources that engage children’s curiosity through play.

Our modest sized activity rooms allow families to have the opportunity to connect and build robust relationships with our educators and other families along with the flexibility to move between spaces.

Our ELC is guided by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Early Years Learning Framework. Our educators are also guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Early childhood is a time for play, curiosity, imagination, discovery and adventure. We recognise that all children learn in different ways and at different paces. Our unique tailored learning method is designed to suit each individual child. Through a balanced mix of play-based learning and intentional teaching, learning potential is maximised and children can develop a sense of belonging, being and becoming.

The programs are designed to encourage our youngest learners to reach their full potential by providing learning experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.

Staff at Woodcroft College ELC are experienced, qualified early childhood specialists who encompass the values of the College through the tailored programs they plan for children.

In the 3-year-old spaces we are busy building our children up to be resilient, confident, and capable learners, and preparing them for their following Kindy year ahead.

We are guided by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and run term-long units of inquiry. We offer the children extensive learning programs and opportunities to build on their understanding of who they are, how they organise themselves, who they share the planet with and how they express themselves.

We offer hands-on learning and use our environment as the third teacher, giving the children the opportunity to learn through trial and error, building on their problem-solving skills and seeking out their own curiosities.

Throughout their day, children will engage in a minimum of four lessons ranging from: unit of inquiry, literacy, numeracy, science, music, art, cooking and outdoor activities. All lessons are tailored to suit each child and individual needs are supported by educators. Children can explore, learn and pursue their own interests led by their inquisitive natures.

In the Kindergarten rooms we aim to give our children the optimal experience in preparation for starting school.

We initially focus strongly on building a sense of belonging in our room through fostering identity and valuing our similarities and differences. We do this through group learning and games. We encourage predictable routines to help foster independence, confidence and resilience in our children.

Throughout their day, children will engage in six lessons which run for 25 minutes each, learning skills to support their start to school. Lessons include unit of inquiry, literacy, numeracy, science, music, art, cooking and outdoor activities.

With hands-on learning and using our environment as the third teacher, children will learn through explicit teaching, building on their problem-solving skills and exploring the answers to their own questions.  

All lessons are tailored to suit each child and individual needs are supported by educators.

Children can explore, learn and pursue their own interests led by their inquisitive natures. Our curriculum has relevant links with school learning through the International Baccalaureate and our ties with the College community.

Our Reception Ready Program for starting school at Woodcroft College supports children to learn more about being a part of the Woodcroft College community.  The program will provide the opportunity to learn and practise the essential social, emotional, problem solving and study skills that children will use throughout their schooling. These skills will be the foundation for their future learning.

Our Reception Ready Program also provides a specific time where children can address their concerns about starting school and learn how they will manage the change. We will include things such as talking to children about school and encouraging them to ask questions or voice their concerns.

There will be visits to the Junior School library and playground and a time to meet Reception teachers. We invite other school students to visit to talk about what school is like, reading stories about starting school, providing literacy items such as reading and writing materials in everyday play activities.

Children are eligible to start Reception in Term 1 if they turn 5 before May 31 in that year.

Woodcroft College ELC is a long day care facility, offering flexibility for families and access to the Child Care Subsidy.

We are open from 6.45am – 6.15pm Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. You are welcome to choose the hours that best suit your family and children’s needs:

• Full Day: 6.45am – 6.15pm
• Kindergarten: 8.30am – 3.30pm
• 10 Hour: 7.30am – 5.30pm
• 9 Hour: 8.00am – 5.00pm

Term only is also available if you don’t require care during the school holidays.*

You can enrol your child to start at the Early Learning Centre from 3 years old (once they are toilet trained) and they can remain at the Early Learning Centre until they start Reception.

*Holiday period is in line with the College term dates. Please make sure you check our Term Dates page as they do not align with other schools.

Your child will be required to wear the College uniform which includes shorts, pants, polo top (short sleeve or long sleeve) or dress and hat which can be purchased from the Uniform Shop or online. They will also be required to wear suitable enclosed shoes; preferably sports shoes, to enable them to engage with our natural outdoor environment.

We encourage you to supply a pair of gumboots for your child that can be left on site to enable them to play in the creek bed when it is wet.

Our ELC is a lunch box service. Families are required to supply a separate named fruit/vegetable snack box for morning tea and a healthy and nutritious lunch and afternoon tea for your child each day. Foods that are high in sugar and salt should be avoided in your child’s lunch box. Your child will have access to their drink bottle throughout the day and can refill their bottle as required (water only).

Mealtimes will be relaxed social situations where your child can eat at their own pace and converse with their friends and educators. Our meals area is placed next to our Piazza shared space which allows for those who have finished eating to move off and play while others have time to finish their food.