It’s not too late for East Gippsland families to secure a place at Gippsland Grammar’s Early Learning Centre next year.
The Bairnsdale Campus ELC has limited places available in the three-year-old reception and four-year-old transition programs in 2025, which feature targeted learning programs for children making their first foray into early learning.
Families can explore the Bairnsdale ELC first-hand on Thursday, September 5, when director of Early Learning Lisa Burgess invites families and their children into the centre for an open morning from 9.15-10.15am.
“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,” Ms Burgess said.
“One of the things I think families will be impressed with will be 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.
Ms Burgess has been a figurehead at the independent school’s ELC for more than 20 years.
She 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,” Ms Burgess said.
“Highly-skilled teachers and educators and our small group sizes ensure that each child’s needs are supported right from the beginning.
“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.
“And we know that our three-year-olds thrive without being overwhelmed by older children in the same group.”
Ms Burgess said participation in early childhood education is on the rise in Australia, and attributes this increase to a greater understanding of the importance of early childhood education.
“Studies show these early years are crucial for intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth,” she 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.”
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 five.
Register for the Bairnsdale Campus ELC open morning via the Gippsland Grammar website or by contacting ELC director Lisa Burgess via phone or email.
