Welcome to Elm St Early Learning Centre.
We’re a small, independent, community-focused early childhood service that has operated in the local area for more than 40 years.
Our approach
We provide a high-quality, play-based educational program that nurtures each child’s unique needs, interests and abilities.
Drawing on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), our approach places children’s cultures, voices and lived experiences at the heart of their learning journey.
Through meaningful play, we encourage children to take an active role in their learning, building independence and confidence along the way.
Our educators have created highly stimulating, creative environments that constantly evolve to spark curiosity and support each stage of development.
We work in close partnership with families, offering thoughtful guidance and collaboration when needed, and always with care and respect.
Our philosophy
We are dedicated to nurturing children to become responsible social beings within a vibrant, loving and secure environment. Our philosophy is grounded in the core values of inclusion, community, equality and social justice. We honour the rich cultures of Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Our mission
Our mission is to champion quality education in a warm, play-based and stimulating environment. We are dedicated to fostering meaningful and respectful relationships amongst children, encouraging their curiosity, and promoting continuous improvement in our practices.
Our goal is to create a nurturing haven where learning is a delightful adventure, and children build lasting and authentic connections.
Our vision
Providing quality education and care for children is key to building a connected and thriving community. Our commitment to supporting, educating and empowering children lays the foundation for a stronger and more sustainable society.
Our age groups and programs
At every age, we nurture independence, communication and confidence.
Nursery 0-2
Our Nursery group offers safe indoor and outdoor play spaces, tailored to meet the needs of our youngest children.
With a 1:4 educator-to-child ratio we focus on building secure attachments. Babies are gently introduced to social play when developmentally ready.
Our dedicated cot room allows for restful sleep and we can support unique daily routines for each child.
With feeds, we will completely support a baby’s milk feeding schedule and will help families in weaning and introducing solids at appropriate milestones.
Toddlers (2–3 years)
Our Toddler group is lively and inclusive, and the space is filled with opportunities for creativity, discovery and connection.
With a 1:5 educator-to-child ratio, children are supported in building friendships, expressing themselves and growing in independence.
We celebrate each child’s culture and individuality, and ensure every child feels seen, supported and an important part of the group.
Daily activities can include music, practising fundamental movement skills, and exposure to early literacy, numeracy and science.
Preschool (3–6 years)
Our Preschool room is a vibrant, welcoming space designed to spark creativity, collaboration and curiosity about the world around them.
We have a 1:10 educator-to-child ratio and, at this stage, we pay particular attention to preparing children for their transition to school.
Preschoolers have the opportunity to engage in a variety of daily discussions and hands-on activities such as learning to recognise and write their names, listening to stories, counting, singing interactive songs, experimenting, problem-solving and participating in projects like cooking and gardening.
Community Engagement
We have a huge calendar of exciting programs which involve supportive community partners and help to create wonderful experiences for the children. Here are some of the fantastic organisations and people that Elm St has enjoyed partnering with.
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The Burwood firefighters visit us in their fire truck to share their knowledge about fire safety. We learn some drills like Stop, Drop and Roll, what number to call in an emergency, what to do if we catch fire on our clothes and how the fire hose works.
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We have the incredible opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture from Uncle Tu-wai who shares stories about his mob. He shows us traditional tools like a kangaroo skin, a boomerang and a didgeridoo which he also plays for us. On the didgeridoo, he can make animal sounds like a dingo and kookaburra! We also paint our faces and arms, and together we create a beautiful handprint painting with Aboriginal symbols.
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We have fun non-competitive soccer training in our backyard which helps us build essential foundations for our health and wellbeing.
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Healthy Harold comes to teach us about healthy eating, good hygiene and how important it is to be open to healthy choices. We get active with some super fun parachute games where we stretch our muscles and work together to make the parachute dance.
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Clare from Burwood Library captivates us with her fascinating and interactive storytelling and singing about the Australian bush and animals. She also teaches us about how to hold books properly, how to look after them and how we can borrow books and toys from the library.
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Wangal Elder Uncle Jimmy comes to help us feel more connected to Country. Since Aboriginal people were the first bakers, he uses the firepit in our backyard to bake damper. He tells us many symbolic stories which we enjoy while we eat the fresh damper.
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We (preschoolers) have an exciting excursion to St. Joseph’s School! We explore a kindergarten class, join PE exercises with Year 6 students and race around their oval. We also see some of our old friends (former Elm St Preschoolers)!
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We have hatching chicks and ducklings for two weeks at the centre to learn about their lives! We get to see chicks hatch in the first week and ducklings in the second week. We observe them eating, drinking, sleeping, scratching and grow!
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In our lively music classes, we get up close and personal with real classical instruments, learn new songs and how to move to the beat!
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Constable Jim talks to us about traffic safety, safe places to go and stranger danger. He teaches us important things to say including ‘No,’ ‘Go away’ and ‘Stop’ if we feel unsafe.
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Parents and grandparents come in to host reading and learning sessions.
What parents are saying
Please read all our reviews on Google. If you’d like to speak to a current or previous family about their child’s experience in the nursery and toddler area or pre-school area, we can connect you today. Please get in touch.
“Both of my daughters attend this childcare centre — one in the nursery room and the other in the preschool room — and we couldn’t be happier with the care they receive.
All the educators here are kind, patient, and genuinely love the children. I can’t recommend this centre more — it’s truly been a wonderful environment for both of our girls.”
- Maggie
“Elm St is the best daycare centre by far in all Sydney-they earned the award to prove it too for our area.
I have had my eldest in there, and now my youngest too.
We are extremely lucky they are within local vicinity. I have no hesitation in recommending to my family and friends.”
- Craig
“A calm and nurturing environment. Both my kids went here after inspecting and trying out others. I recommend it to any parent. It has a healthy and serene vibe that rubs off on everyone.”
- Edgar
Our prestigious rating and awards
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.
With a quality rating of over 95% in satisfaction, services, reputation and quality, we were recognised as the best child care in Burwood. Australian businesses that have won a Quality Business Award represent less than 1% of registered businesses in Australia.
Please pop by to say hello!
We can’t wait to welcome you and show you what makes Elm St a really special place to learn.
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.