Frequently asked questions - December 2018

Where will Curiosity, Good Shepherd’s Early Learning Community Centre (ELCC) be located?

The Good Shepherd ELCC will be located on the corner of Montague Road and Dwight Street. Currently the site is the home of the New Community Church community.

Change of use for the site has been approved by Tea Tree Gully council and our architects are currently planning a $1.5 million refurbishment and upgrade in response to our dreams and clearly articulated specifications for a world class facility.

When can my child start at the ELCC and what are the attendance requirements?

Children are able to begin their enrolment in the ELCC two years prior to starting Foundation, provided they are three years of age. Should your child be under the age of three at the commencement of the school year, they will be able to begin after their third birthday.

Children will attend for a minimum 5 days per fortnight (9.00am – 3.00pm). Flexibility to extend this to include up to 10 days or longer days (long day care), will be available as places permit.

We believe that children develop and are given the best opportunity to thrive with at least three days per week when taking into consideration the children’s social, emotional and educational well-being. However, we understand that family situations often determine the days attended.

Can I pick the days that I want my child to attend?

Parents will be able to nominate the sessions they would prefer by completing a session request form at the appropriate time. The number of children per day will be determined by staff/student ratios.

Does my child have to go to the ELCC to be able to start in Foundation?

No. When enrolling for Foundation, a position will also be offered for the ELCC.

Some families prefer to access their local pre-school, however, we believe that children who attend the ELCC, will transition more easily into Foundation at Good Shepherd because of the familiarity of the school site and various routines and rituals that are carried across all areas at Good Shepherd Lutheran school.

Can my child stay in the ELCC once they turn five years of age?

Yes, children enrolled in the ELCC can continue there until they enter Foundation.

What are the opening hours of the ELCC?

Yet to be finalised, we do expect at this stage, that the centre will mirror the opening times of Good Shepherd Lutheran School 7.00am – 6.00pm. A final determination will be made following an analysis of family needs following the initial enrolment phase.

What will the session costs be?

The Good Shepherd ELCC is a registered childcare provider. Eligible families will claim a rebate after payment of fees for the ELCC programs. For further details about the rebate, search ‘Child Care Subsidy’ using your preferred internet browser to locate the Australian Government Department of Human Services. Alternatively please contact Good Shepherd for direction / support.

Please note: Service fees are an estimate at this time. Our firm commitment is to closely align with the fees of alternate local service providers, ensuring inclusivity and affordability for all.

Early Learning Program (4 year olds)

9.00am - 3:00pm $82 per day

The 4 year old program requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours (5 days) per fortnight, during school term time.

Drop off from 8.40am, pick up before 3.20pm

Early Learning Program (3 year olds)

9.00am - 3:00pm $82 per day

½ day (viability yet to be determined)

The 3 year old program requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours (5 days) per fortnight, during school term time.

Drop off from 8.40am, pick up before 3.20pm

Long Day Care (3-5 year olds)

7.00am – 8.40am $12

3.20pm – 6.00pm $18

To cater for the busy family, we offer Long Day Care hours to supplement the Early Learning Program for 3 and 4 year olds.

Holiday Program

7.00am – 6.00pm $90

½ Day $45

All school holiday periods excluding two weeks following Christmas and public holidays.

How and when will we be required to pay?

A securing deposit of $500 will be required when a place is offered to you. This deposit secures your place in the primary years following ELCC. The deposit is refunded against the final invoice for year 6 fees at the completion of primary school.

ELCC invoicing will occur weekly.

Do I get a refund if my child misses a session?

To keep costs low our budgets will be established on ‘full attendance’ for each session and as such there will be no refunds for missed sessions.

What curriculum will be offered? What will my child learn or do that is different from child care?

Using the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia our philosophy is strongly influenced by the Christian Studies Framework for Australian Lutheran Schools and the fundamental principles of the Reggio Emilia approach.

The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia ‘Belonging, Being, Becoming’ is the document that is the basis for our practice, program and documentation. The Early Years Learning Framework encourages educators to broaden the direction of learning for children and implement specific curriculum that is relevant to each local community and early childhood setting. Pre literacy and numeracy learning will be fostered through rich inquiry play opportunities.

Will there be a connection with Good Shepherd Primary School?

There will be a rich connection with the primary school:

Visits to the school library for literacy enrichment
Use of undercover hard court and play facilities
Purposeful interaction between Junior School students and the ELCC children
Attendance at campus-based Chapels and Assemblies
Shared curriculum resources between ELCC and Junior School
Utilisation of visiting specialist staff
Access to Learning Enrichment teachers
Cross campus Buddies

What do educational programs in early learning achieve?

Early childhood education programs help your child develop strong social, emotional and communication skills as well as physical strength and fitness. These are essential skills to help your child grow and lay the foundations for a life of learning. Children learn in unique ways during their first five years. Our programs will feature play-based and child-driven activities, rather than classroom style learning with homework, to help your child reach their full potential. Purpose-filled inquiry and exploration that fosters cr

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