The Flinders Early Learning Centre (FELC) supports 120 families with children from three-to six-years of age through creative Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. Located in a beautiful rainforest setting in Buderim, Queensland, FELC is a licensed Sunshine Coast child care centre operating 48 weeks of the year.
As a hub for early childhood education on the Sunshine Coast, FELC is committed to fostering a nurturing environment where children thrive through innovative, nature-based learning.
Our experienced and passionate team at FELC deliver compassionate and caring play-based programs, including a Bush Kindy program, in natural environments.
In August 2023, FELC received a glowing accreditation and rating report, exceeding expectations in all seven areas of the National Quality Standards.
Quality Educators
Our early learning programs are guided by a team of experienced, committed and responsive early childhood teachers, including four-year university-trained teachers, supported by early learning assistants with at least two years of training. Under the leadership of FELC Director Jo Osborne, our team is passionate about early childhood education and understands how young children learn best.
FELC’s philosophy values PLAY as a fundamental instrument in stimulating and shaping child development and early learning. Our early learning centre on the Sunshine Coast provides a safe, engaging space where children explore, grow and develop essential life skills.
Guided by Strong and Caring Values
Play: Our programs are based on and inspired by current research on play and enquiry, brain-based learning, and Dimensions of Learning. These methodologies ensure an engaging and enriching experience for young learners.
Nature: Children are guided to explore the natural environment surrounding our centre, through our Bush Kindy opportunities and other projects, including our Community Garden, Flinders Farm and rainforest gardens. Our strong emphasis on nature within our early learning centre curriculum on the Sunshine Coast ensures that children develop a meaningful connection to their environment.
At FELC, we engage the young child’s five senses, provoking wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement.
Commitment to Contemporary Early Childhood Practices
FELC’s passion for personalising the Reggio Emilia experience has driven our teaching team to create an environment that is welcoming, innovative, fun, creative and, most importantly, child-centred. Our light-filled classrooms are designed with flexible learning spaces that support a range of learning experiences. These spaces include access to outdoor learning areas and rainforest gardens, art studios, writing centres, discovery areas and reading nooks.
With our exceptional facilities, FELC is a leading Kindergarten on the Sunshine Coast, where creativity and advanced learning tools come together to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Children Learning Through Play
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 balances child-centred and adult-guided play, providing children with time and space to make discoveries, elaborate on projects and participate in meaningful learning experiences.
Nature Spaces on the Sunshine Coast
FELC is located in a beautiful rainforest setting, providing a healthy and inspiring environment for learning. This access to nature is one of the main reasons families choose our Flinders Early Learning Centre as their preferred Buderim early childhood education provider.
At FELC, children are guided to explore and engage with the stunning wetland forest that runs between our child care centre and neighbouring Matthew Flinders Anglican College campus. Spending time in the forest inspires collaboration and curiosity, whether the children are mapping the forest space, considering natural landmarks or identifying the breathtaking flora and fauna.
There is also the Flinders Farm to visit just a short walk away and our own community gardens to grow and tend to veggies, herbs and flowers.
This nature-based approach to education sets FELC apart as an early learning centre on the Sunshine Coast that champions outdoor learning and encourages child-led exploration.
Hours & Fees
By choosing Flinders Early Learning Centre on the Sunshine Coast,
families gain access to an exceptional early childhood education experience in a nurturing and inspiring environment.
The centre is licensed for 48 weeks of the year (FELC is closed over the Christmas and New Year period for four weeks)
Pre-Kindergarten programs: 8:45am–3:15pm
3-Day Kindergarten programs: 8:30am–3:15pm
2-Day Kindergarten programs: 8:00am–3:30pm
Before-session care: 7:30am–8:00am
After-session care: 3:30pm–6:00pm
Daily Fees (from 1 January 2025)
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: $135.00 per day
(Please note: FELC is part of the Queensland Government's 'Free Kindy' initiative.)
early learning centre sunshine coast
Contact Us
For more information and tours, please contact:
Jo Osborne
Director, Flinders Early Learning Centre, Sunshine Coast
Address: 144 Ballinger Road, Buderim, Qld, 4556
Phone: (07) 5477 2999
Email: earlylearning@mfac.edu.au
