Our approach to early childhood education is child-led

We follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

Within this framework, we observe and listen to your child to create a learning program for them that builds on their unique interests and abilities.

EYLF describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming.

  • An educator sits on a bench reading a book to a group of children, who are sitting on the ground. There are colourful wall, plants, and shelves filled with toys in the background. The children and the educator are wearing sun hats.

    Belonging is community

    Belonging is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationships they have with their family, community, culture and place.

  • Children playing in a sandbox with toys and wearing colourful hats.

    Being is living

    Being is about living in the here and now. Childhood is a special time in life and children need time to just ‘be’—time to play, try new things and have fun.

  • Two young children wearing sun hats and casual outfits standing on a blue playground structure, surrounded by greenery.

    Becoming is identity

    Becoming is about the learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.

  • Play is learning

    The EYLF helps up to ensure every child receives a high-quality, play-based education during their crucial early years. Learning through play helps them understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create.

  • Firefighter assisting a child in using a fire hose on a sidewalk next to a building.

    Relationships are key

    It is well-known that children learn best when they have secure relationships with caring adults. We work with families to create learning experiences that respond to each child’s ideas, interests and strengths.

  • Children observing baby chicks in a clear enclosure with wood shavings and metal food dishes.

    Five learning goals

    Through this framework, we hope to see children develop a strong sense of their identity, connections with their world, a strong sense of wellbeing, confidence and involvement in their learning, and effective communication skills.

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One of the things that sets Elm St apart is our team’s stability

Our educators aren’t just qualified. They stay. Many of our permanent staff have been with us for years and some for decades. On average, our room leaders have been at Elm St for 10 years, which means your child is cared for by people who truly know the rhythms of our centre and who are deeply invested in the children who come through our doors.

Children wearing hats sitting on artificial grass, handling a small yellow duckling. Plastic play equipment and an adult supervising in the background.

Our educators

Every room at our centre is entirely led and supported by our permanent team of experienced and qualified educators (in either full-time or job-share roles).

All of our educators hold recognised early childhood qualifications; over 75% of our permanent educators hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or a higher qualification) and the rest of our educator team hold at least a Certificate III.

Our preschool room is led by a degree-qualified early childhood teacher, who also serves as our Educational Leader. Our Centre Director is also a degree-qualified teacher with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education at Elm St.

To support our team and maintain consistency for the children, we have a small, dedicated pool of relief educators who cover for permanent staff when needed. These casual educators are familiar faces to the children and several have gone on to become permanent members of our team.

We believe that a stable, experienced and deeply caring team of educators makes all the difference. And we think you’ll feel that distinction as soon as you walk through the door at Elm St.

Elm St supports our educators with ongoing opportunities to attend continuous professional development, so that our children can continue to benefit from thoughtful initiatives within a nurturing, supportive environment.

We create an environment that promotes and enables children's participation, and is welcoming, culturally safe and inclusive of everyone.

Elm St Early Learning Centre’s rating

Logo with text "Rated Exceeding National Quality Standard"

We are the only long day care childcare service within the Burwood local government area that is rated as “Exceeding NQS” (based on publicly available information as at May 2025).

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) certified that we provide high-quality education and care that goes above and beyond the requirements of the National Quality Standard.

This rating demonstrates how our educators continually improve and strive for excellence.

Please get in touch with us

Have a question or want to learn more?
Fill out our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Or give us a call on 02 9745 1141 to have a chat with our director or to book a one-on-one personalised centre tour.