A safe space for our youngest learners
St Michael’s Collegiate Early Learning Centre (ELC) provides a warm and welcoming start to your child’s educational journey.
Catering for girls from 2 years of age to pre-kindergarten (4 years of age), the Centre enjoys a warm village atmosphere with access to the Junior School facilities such as the tennis court, library, grassy oval, kitchen garden and flower patches, which are grown and maintained by the children.
The children also participate in unique nature walks along the Hobart Rivulet, where they can engage in imaginative nature play and connect with their local community.
Located on the green, cosy Junior School Campus in South Hobart, our Centre is staffed by an exceptional team of educators who value learning as an exciting and creative process.
Collegiate Early Learning holds an overall Exceeding rating through the National Quality Standard.
Early Learning Space 1 (ELC1)
2-year-old learning space
This is where your child’s learning journey begins.
Welcoming girls and boys from the year they turn two to three years of age, this nurturing space is thoughtfully designed to support our youngest learners. With dedicated, specially trained carers, calm nap areas and safe outdoor play spaces, children are cared for in an environment that feels secure, engaging and just like a second home.
ELC1 students are also introduced to a speciality music program.
Early Learning Space 2 (ELC2)
Catering for girls between 3 – 4 years of age, this space builds on their social and developmental opportunities, encouraging children’s curiosities, interests and questions.
Pre-Kindergarten
Our Pre-Kindergarten program prepares our young learners for their first steps into formal education. Our program builds the foundations for independence and establishes routines, making the transition to Kindergarten smoother.
Students in Pre-Kindergarten have access to a cocurricular program that includes Mandarin lessons and Ballet.
Hours
ELC is open from 7.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday, excluding the Christmas and Easter holiday periods and Tasmanian public holidays.
Uniform
A uniform is compulsory at our ELC, it supports each child to identify wit and connect to our community.
Uniform information
Sleep, rest and relaxation
AT our ELC, children have a variety of ways to relax, rest and sleep. When children rest or sleep, a quiet environment is offered, including a stretcher bed and clean linen for each child.
Mealtimes, menu and nutrition
Morning tea and afternoon tea is provided by the ELC, while families are asked to pack a lunch for their child.
Allergies, intolerances and medical conditions
Our ELC is an allergy-aware service. Lunches and other food must not include any current or known allergens such as nuts or nut products. Families will be advised of any additional known allergens, as required.
Excursions and regular outings
Connecting children to the world around them through inquiry and exploration is an integral part of our curriculum. The rich tapestry of learning offered at ELC includes caring for our School community garden, tending to our chickens, visiting our local shopping precinct and the Hobart Rivulet, as well as meeting people from other generations through our intergenerational program.
Immunisations and exclusions
Each child’s immunisation status must be verified at enrolment, and a copy of the immunisation record provided to ELC. This will be stored securely with the child’s enrolment record.
Early Learning Centre Philosophy
We believe in providing a learning journey filled with unending possibilities. Our educationally rich program focuses on children’s individual interests to encourage their investigative and inquiry skills.
The design and delivery of our program is responsive to our current and contemporary world.
We believe that children are naturally inquisitive, a quality that drives their passion and determination to investigate the wonderful and the extraordinary.
Children are active participants in constructing their own knowledge through their interactions with others and the world around them.