Our Early Learning Centre
Discover and learn
Housed in the newly-renovated and extended Campbell House, the ELC (also known as The Ilhan Family Centre) is located in an historic, yet state-of-the-art educational environment in which all of our five classes enjoy a stimulating program. The Reggio Emilia philosophy, which underpins all we do in the ELC, highlights the importance of the environment being the ‘third teacher' and we know our building's purpose-built spaces complete with the beautiful and spacious playground inspire our girls and boys to discover and learn. The Early Learning Centre is only a short walk to the outstanding Junior School and Senior School facilities, which the children make use of throughout the year. Our community is currently very excited about our much-anticipated Sports and Aquatic Centre facility which will be well utilised by our students, and we look forward to seeing our children enjoy fitness and fun in the new Centre.
Our Classes
The St Catherine's ELC is a co-educational pre-school. All children attending Three Year Old Pre-school are offered a place in Four Year Old Pre-school (providing the teachers feel the children are ready to move into a Four Year Old class). Girls who have attended our ELC are automatically offered a place in Prep at St Catherine's School. The Jacaranda and Lavender Rooms are our Three Year Old classes in which children attend three or five days per week. The Rainbow, Sunflower and Waterlily Rooms are our Four Year Old classes, in which all of the children attend five days per week.
At any time throughout the course of the year, you are welcome to collect your child early or have a day at home according to your child's needs, outside activities and level of tiredness. We see the Early Learning years as a stepping stone between home and school.
Specialist classes
Specialist classes in library, music and the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) are held throughout the week. Three year old children who attend the ELC three days per week will therefore attend some specialist classes, but not all, depending on their weekly schedule. Four year old children take French classes in their final term in the ELC.
When can my child start?
The Children's Services Regulations 1998 specify that all children must have turned three years of age before commencing pre-school. Students commencing in the Three Year Old program at St Catherine's must have turned three by the end of February. Our ELC allows students to commence on their third birthday and participate from then on. (For example, a child with a 27 February birthday may only commence in the three year old ELC program from the 27 February, when she/he turns three.) The School must also be satisfied with each child's physical and emotional readiness for the program before the child may commence in the Centre.
Caring for your Children
One qualified teacher and assistant is with the children at all times. Part-time assistants are in the classroom during lunchtime each day (when the teacher and assistant take turns to have their lunch break). This ensures that the children always have at least two adults with them at all times.