Oakleigh Grammar Early Learning Centre - Kindergarten

At Oakleigh Grammar, we value the remarkable phase of early childhood; we do this by slowing down, focusing on relationships and fostering a sense of belonging.

Our team of experienced and nurturing teachers and educators are highly dedicated, creative, reflective and caring professionals who appreciate and value the wonderfully diverse uniqueness of each child in our learning community.

Our ELC is a positive and enriching place where young learners can develop love of learning and build lifelong friendships.

Bilingual Program

We are proud to offer ‘learning in Greek’ to our Pre-Prep Learning Community through the Early Childhood Language Program. Our dedicated Greek Language Teachers engage with children during their day-to-day routines, using conversation and play to immerse the children in the Greek language. Learning in another language has many benefits including, promoting cognitive flexibility, giving children a head start with their pre literacy skills, improving problem solving skills and fostering deeper connections with different cultures and languages.

Our Pathway to Prep

We set up our learners for success during their Pre-Prep year with our orientation experience at the Junior School beginning from term two. The children attend library sessions with our Head of Junior School, engage in Prep learning sessions within the Junior School classrooms and take part in whole school activities. We also offer Term Four introduction to Prep program which focuses on the following:

- Embedding the routine of a ‘Take Home Reader’

- Participating in Jolly Phonics

- Prewriting experiences

Our Pre-Prep families also have the opportunity to attend parent information sessions throughout the year, on topics such as learning about the Junior School Quartet, a Junior School tour and Prep readiness information. We also offer a comprehensive transition to school program in term four, for those Pre-Preps joining us at Oakleigh Grammar for Prep.

Service Philosohopy

At Oakleigh Grammar Early Learning Centre, we understand the significant role we play in a child’s early educational journey. Our ELC team are guided by the principals of relational pedagogy, emphasising the importance of building strong relationships with children to foster trust and a sense of belonging to our learning community. We believe that when children feel safe and are recognised as unique individuals, they are in the ideal environment for learning and skill development.

As part of our Oakleigh Grammar Junior School Quartet and at the heart of our Reggio Emilia inspired approach to early childhood education, we view the child as a competent and capable citizen. We believe children have the powerful potential to guide their learning as active collaborators and explorers. We strive to offer an emergent play-based curriculum, that is drawn from children’s exploration and wonderment of their world. The Victorian Early Years and Development Framework is used to guide our curriculum decision making and provide intentionality to our education programs, we use the planning cycle to plan, evaluate and reflect on children’s learning and development to ensure there is progress towards curriculum outcomes. We proudly use our Oakleigh Grammar Teaching and Learning Model (TLM) and it’s four phases, connect, purposeful teaching, active learning and reflection to guide our teaching strategies and to ensure a consistent and best practice approach to teaching and learning across Oakleigh Grammar.

Oakleigh Grammar ELC proudly offers the Early Childhood Language Program to our Pre-Prep learners. We endeavour to immerse our whole learning community in Greek language and culture. We also value our beautiful diverse learning community and the positive learning experiences and opportunities multiculturalism brings. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians and stive to teach our young learners to see similarities and embrace differences to prepare them to be a part of a kinder, more connected and globalised world.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we believe that children possess '100 languages' and that 'the environment serves as the third teacher.' We aim to create an environment that allows children to express their wonderings, experiences and learning through a range of languages, including visual art, sculpture, dance, drama, storytelling and most importantly through play.

At Oakleigh Grammar Early Learning Centre, our Orthodox Christian values are embedded into our play-based curriculum. We are dedicated in imparting humility, aspiration, respect and kindness to our young learners through an array of positive and engaging experiences that aim to build the foundation of living an Orthodox Christian life.

We believe that parents are their child’s first and most important teachers, our goal is to foster a trusting and respectful partnership between the ELC and families. We embrace the Reggio view that parents, family members, teachers all play vital roles in the educational journey, acknowledging that it takes a collective effort to nurture a child.

We hold the belief that early childhood is a unique and precious stage that requires slowness, playfulness and wonderment. We also understand that the ELC is an exciting beginning for our young learners. As the foundation of Oakleigh Grammar and an integral part of the school, we strive to provide a strong pathway from our ELC to the broader school community, offering opportunities for children to build connections with the junior school and to ensure a seamless transition, we focus on nurturing each child through fostering a love for learning, and building strong, supportive relationships. By the time our young learners move on to primary school, they are well-prepared, confident, and eager to embrace the next chapter of their educational journey at Oakleigh Grammar.

Oakleigh Grammar Early Learning Centre is a nurturing environment where children are inspired, supported and prepared for lifelong learning. Our commitment to pedagogy, the Reggio Emilia approach, and Orthodox Christian values ensures that each child is seen, heard, and valued. Our ELC team are dedicated in providing a welcoming, empowering, and enriching learning experience that not only prepares our children for primary school years but also lays the groundwork for them to become compassionate, curious, and capable individuals.