Welcome to King's Early Learners
If you are new to King’s, we hope that this is the start of a positive and enriching time for your child, or children, and your family as members of the King’s Early Learners’ community. If you are already part of the King’s community with older children attending the School, we hope that you will continue to feel part of the King’s extended family.
After extensive research, discussion and planning, the decision was made by King’s Baptist Grammar School, in partnership with King’s Baptist Church, to develop an Early Learning Centre influenced by the educational work of the Educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy. An outstanding team of professionals was employed to take on the privilege of creating an early childhood education centre of excellence at King’s Early Learners. And now, with our beautiful facilities and a newly formed, wonderful team of teachers and co-educators, I’m confident of, and excited by, the prospects for the future. We invite you to join with us on a journey of learning which will provide a strong foundation for the lives of the children in our care.
I look forward to the possibilities that the journey together will bring.
Clare Williamson,
Head of Early Years (ELC-Year 2)
Our Philosophy
Our goal is to create a centre of excellence for children aged three to five years of age.
Our philosophy outlines the set of beliefs commonly held by our community of learners. It defines who we are, what we believe about people, and how we create an environment where learning can flourish.
Pedagogical Influences
A major influence is the documented work of the educators from the city of Reggio Emilia in Italy. Reggio Emilia has worldwide acclaim and has influenced the work of thousands of teachers, educators, and researchers on all continents. Its influence is more than the early years (birth to 8) of life and has had far-reaching impact in all areas of education.
King’s Early Learners includes elements of the Nature Play movement from Scandinavia and the Forest Schools of Scotland, the Inquiry Approach to learning, Project-Based Learning and Bush Kindy.
Hours of Operation
The ELC is is open from 7:15am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday. King’s Early Learners is open throughout the School Holidays except for the ELC closure over the Christmas and New Years periods.
Signature Programs
Bush Kindy is the beginning of an Outdoor Education. We are fortunate to have two local Bush Kindy sites that children visit to study, take care of, and closely observe nature. Children challenge themselves physically, and in their learning dispositions of perseverance and resilience, by climbing rocks and slopes and playing in puddles and, on occasion, splashing in a small creek.
Children plant and take care of herbs, vegetables, fruit, and flowers. The children use the produce in their cooking for afternoon snack time.
The Transition Program between the ELC and Reception is a strong one that grows throughout the year, so that children moving to Big School are familiar with the Early Years classes, teachers, play spaces, library, gym and chapel.
What makes King’s ELC special?
We see our students as competent, capable, creative, resilient, responsible, and resourceful. We use a combination of intentional teaching and child-led lines of inquiry to inform our learning experiences and planning.
