IT’S NOT too late for families to secure a place at Gippsland Grammar’s highly-regarded Early Learning Centre next year.

The St Anne’s Early Learning Centre (ELC) has limited places available in its three-year-old Reception program in 2024, which features targeted learning programs for children making their first foray into early learning.

And families can explore the St Anne’s ELC first-hand on Tuesday September 12 when Mrs Burgess invites families and their children into the Centre for a Tour & Tea from 9.30-11am.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for families to see our Centre in operation and to ask any questions they may have about our teaching programs,” Mrs Burgess said. “One of the things I think families will be impressed with is our small group sizes and the high level of personalised attention we are able to offer.”

The ELC’s three-year-old Reception program sees children spend two days a week surrounded by same-age peers in small groups learning independence, gaining confidence, developing key social skills, developing speech and language and establishing the key fundamentals of literacy and numeracy.

ELC Director Lisa Burges - who has been a figurehead at the ELC for 20 years - said the ELC’s purposeful intentional learning programs as well as the small group sizes of a maximum of 20 students were the two key factors that appealed to families wanting the best option for their children.

“At the ELC we know the needs of a three year old are very different to those of four and five year olds, which is why we run age-specific groups that cater for each child’s unique level of development,” Mrs Burgess said. “Highly-skilled teachers and educators and our small group sizes ensures that each child’s needs are supported right from the beginning.

“And there are key things that children need to learn when they are three years old and just starting their educational journey, as opposed to when they are four years old and are preparing for starting school,” Mrs Burgess said.

“And we know that our three year olds thrive without being overwhelmed by older children in the same group.”

Participation in early childhood education is on the rise in Australia with more than 1.3 million children attending approved early childhood education services in 2021, an increase of 67 per cent over the past decade. Mrs Burgess said this increase reflects a greater understanding of the importance of early childhood education.

“Studies show these early years are crucial for intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth,” Mrs Burgess said. “In fact, 90 per cent of brain development occurs in the first five years of a child’s life so the opportunities and experiences we provide for a child really do matter.”

The St Anne’s ELC three-year-old ‘Reception’ program offers two full days on either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday during school terms, from 8.30am-3pm.

Daily programs at Gippsland Grammar ELC integrate the arts, science, mathematics and language, the development of thinking skills, growth mindset precepts and education about sustainability. The three-year-old program is enriched with weekly Music lessons and the Need to Read early literacy program. The four-year-old program also includes Music, Japanese, Library, a Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) and ‘buddies’ program with Year 5.

Register for the ELC Tour & Tea via the form below: