Opened in February 2007 the Flinders Early Learning Centre is a purpose built facility specifically designed for three to six year olds that now delivers creative Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs to 120 families in a magical rainforest setting in Buderim, Qld. It is state-of-the-art, consisting of a licensed Child Care Centre operating for 48 weeks of the year delivering Queensland Studies Authority approved Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten educational programs with long day care options.
Flinders Early Learning Centre is a registered Kindergarten Pilot Program Centre with early learning programs taught by four-year university-trained early childhood teachers supported by two-year trained early learning assistants. Our commitment to employing highly qualified early childhood specialists provides an excellent foundation for life-long learning and well-being for our young learners. The National Early Years Learning Framework and the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines Curriculum focus on the three to six-year-old child and provides a dedicated pathway linking with the National Curriculum currently being rolled out in all schools across Australia.
Director Vivienne Walsh (Dip.Ed. (Early Childhood), B.Ed., M.Ed) leads a team of responsive early childhood staff who possess a deep understanding of how young children learn and provide a curriculum that delivers vibrant Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs, that lead children on the path to happy and successful formal education by instilling a sense of wonder and excitement about the world.
The philosophy of Reggio Emilia is incorporated into the FELC learning environment as this philosophy supports a curriculum that caters to the needs of developing and enquiring minds.
The Reggio Emilia philosophy is a holistic approach incorporating a deep understanding of the dynamics of early learning.
The Spirit: Discover the Difference
- Our FELC is a place where families, carers, children, teachers and college students want to be!
- Play–based educational Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs based on current research eg. play and enquiry, brain-based learning, Dimensions of Learning
- Natural environments that engages the young child’s five senses, provoking wonder, curiosity, and intellectual engagement.
Play Discover Learn
The welcoming foyer is the “heart and hub” of our community, a place where parents, children and community connect and interact with the children’s learning. Their learning is visible as their thoughts, ideas, and understandings are represented through a kaleidoscope of self expression. Documentation of their thinking and project work gives a detailed “snapshot” of the processes of enquiry and investigation. There is also a sense of anticipation as the children lead their parents to their own special place “their classroom”. Our Discoverers, Explorers and Investigators classrooms are set up to inspire, nurture and encourage discovery.
Our passion for personalising the Reggio Emilia experience has driven our FELC teaching team to create an environment that is inviting, fun, creative and most importantly "child centered". Light-filled classrooms offer flexible learning spaces, access to outdoor learning areas and rainforest gardens, art studios, writing centres, discovery areas, reading nooks, interactive whiteboards and the latest in information technology.
Every corner of every space has an identity and purpose, and provides opportunities for a variety of learning experiences. Teachers carefully organise space for small and large group projects and small intimate spaces for one, two or three children. Our FELC philosophy values PLAY as an instrument in stimulating and shaping child development and early learning.
Through planned and spontaneous play experiences children form relationships, share, co-operate, develop self-control, test ideas and friendships, extend their range of experience and form associations among things, events and concepts. Our program has developed a balance between child-centred and adult-led play, plus we value extended blocks of time for children to make discoveries, to elaborate on projects, and to evolve a script in symbolic play.
Hours of Operation
Flexible grouping and program delivery enable parents to select the education and care needs that best suit their family needs. Our centre is licensed for 48 weeks of the year and closes over the Christmas and New Year period for 4 weeks.
- Pre-Kindergarten programs: 8.45am-3.15pm
- 3-Day Kindergarten programs: 8.30 am-3.15pm
- 2-Day Kindergarten programs: 8am-3.30pm
2012 Daily Fee:
$81.50 per day (child care benefit applicable)
- Before session care: 7.30-8am
- After session care: 3.30-6pm
- Vacation Care: 7.30am-6pm
For more information and centre tours please contact Vivienne Walsh (Director of Flinders Early Centre) on (07) 5477 2999 or email inquiries to earlylearning@mfac.edu.au.
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