Early Learning Centre
Give your child a head start. They’ll develop the social, emotional, and cognitive skills they need to prepare for kindergarten, primary school and beyond. A small and intimate environment on each day ensures they get the attention they deserve. We are recognised for our ‘individualised care’ approach; children are not just nurtured and challenged, they are known as individuals, and respected for their uniqueness.
The team are passionate about providing tailored intentional, personalised and stimulating early learning programs where your child's development will be nourished.
Our indoor/outdoor program is a feature of our daily approach. Fun, exciting and challenging activities based on adult-led enquiry allow children to follow their interests through free and guided play, making learning enjoyable and rewarding, and providing a sense of achievement.
They will be bursting to share their discoveries with you; you can track their progress online via the app each day, enabling you to have meaningful conversations about their day.
Early Learning is an integral part of how we connect with the community. Our qualified educators are with your child every step of the way
Our Programs
Our programs are guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, which has the following outcomes for children:
− a strong sense of identity
− a connection with and contribution to their world
− a strong sense of wellbeing
− effective communication
− confident and involved learners.
Our Team
Every member of our Early Learning team is fully qualified. They’re also experienced, enthusiastic, warm and welcoming. Our team members will not only nurture and challenge your child, but embrace their individuality.
Our programs are designed for children aged 18 months to five years. Open 48 weeks of the year.
Programs Time and Days
Mondays (2 – 4 years)
Tuesdays to Fridays (18 months - 5 years)
Sessions run from 9.15am – 2.15pm daily.
Children can be collected earlier by arrangement if preferred. Enrolments accepted for days that suit children's ages (waiting lists may apply).
Bookings are permanent for the term; two weeks notice is required for booking cancellation.
2022 - 2023
2022
Term 4: 3 October to 16 December
Early Learning Centre Closes 1 pm on Fri 16 December and returns Mon 9 January 2023
2023
School Holiday Program on Mon, Tues & Wed for two weeks commence:
9, 10 & 11 January and 16, 17 & 18 January
Then Full Time (mon-fri) Childcare Program begins:
Term 1: 30 January to 6 April
Term 2: 24 April to 23 June
Term 3: 10 July to 15 September
Term 4: 2 October 20 December
Fees
We are a community organisation, so we keep our fees as affordable as possible. For each term the fee is $75 for a 5-hour session.
A non-refundable enrolment fee of $90 is payable on enrolment - this keeps your child's place. If you need to withdraw your child, we require two weeks' notice (fee to be charged for the two weeks)
We ask that you pay your child’s Early Learning term fees a fortnight in advance. Families registered through the Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy scheme need to pay their ‘gap’ fee fortnightly. This keeps your child’s place secure, and it also ensures that we can continue to operate.
For your convenience, XPlor Debit Success is a direct debit fortnightly payment option or of upfront term payment via cash or card at Reception or over the phone, direct deposit (EFT). Remittance of payment is required.
BSB: 633 000 (Bendigo Bank), Account # 152 992 657, Account Name: Sorrento Community Centre; please add your name to your deposit so you can be identified.
Late payment incurs a $20 administrative fee. Non-payment will forfeit your child’s enrolment.
Subsidy
We are a registered Child Care Provider under the Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy scheme (through Centrelink). If you are eligible and apply for a subsidy, the subsidy amount (rebate) will come directly to us. All you need to do is pay the gap fee each fortnight, i.e. the amount owing after the subsidy. To access your account balance, families need to download the Xplor app and check under the heading 'Financial'.
To find out about the subsidy, go to www.education.gov.au/childcare
To see how the Xplor app works, go to https://support.ourxplor.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039411832-Home-Finance
Orientation
We can arrange a complimentary orientation session so you and your child can familiarise yourselves with Sorrento Early Learning. Call Deb, our Early Learning and Centre Administrator on 5984 3360, who’ll give you the information you need – and arrange to show you the Centre. Deb can also make an appointment for you to meet the Early Learning Team Leader.
Availability
We know you’re anxious to have your child enrolled as quickly as possible.
Our sessions are limited to 22 children, so it's a good idea to enquire early. Please note that there may be a wait until a place becomes available but rest assured we’ll let you know as soon as there’s a place for your child.
Enrolment
If you are interested in the Early Learning Program, please contact Deb on Reception for our Enrolment pack.
There is a non-refundable enrolment fee of $90(per family - which includes the Sorrento Community Centre's Annual Registration Levy - enabling access to all activities at the Centre) for the first child, and $20 for each subsequent child. All children receive a T-shirt and a hat as part of their welcome to the Centre.
Early Learning Parents Handbook
Xplor Home
Learning:
View your child’s learning, featuring all the beautiful photos and videos captured throughout their day. Chat with Educators about your child’s progress and re-discover their passions. Finally, share those special moments securely with other family members.
Health & Wellbeing:
Monitor your child’s health at a glance with meaningful communication covering: sleep, nutrition, toileting and sun protection. Receive and keep secure records about any medication or incident reports that you need to know about.
Securely Invite Others:
Send secure invitations to friends and family to let them see your child at play, and how they are growing.
Testimonials:
We could not be happier with the Sorrento Early Learning Centre and their staff Bianca and Jackie. So much so that we continued a day a week for our youngest daughter during her 4yo Kinder year because she couldn’t bare to part with Bianca and Jackie just yet. They loved, nurtured and supported her for over three years with lots of tears shed in the last few weeks from both sides with their journey coming to an end.
We miss seeing them every week! (Mum Lori)
We first enrolled our eldest daughter into Early Birds in 2012 and over the past 8 years our other 5 children attend or have attended, most multiple days a week.
We found SCC Early Learning to be an amazingly caring and supportive environment for our family. It is an empowering and fun place for our children to become the best little people they can be. The staff are professional and well trained. The children are nurtured and provided with safe, creative spaces for them to play and explore, giving them confidence to be themselves and enabling them to branch out and develop their independence. The children are supported to make friendships and learn to grow and function in their world.
Our children are always looking forward to their days at ELC and even the past students like to come back for a visit.
Deb and the administration staff are so friendly and always willing to help with any queries.
As a family we are so happy our children belong to the early learning community at SCC and would recommend the service to anyone with young children. (Mum Tarryn)
Sorrento ELC is a warm, welcoming and community focused center. Our daughter absolutely loved attending Sorrento ELC. She thrived in the smaller group environment and being able to form stronger relationships with her peers and the educators. The educators are nurturing, caring, kind and attentive; my daughter formed such a beautiful bond with Bianca, Jacqui and Narelle in such a short space of time which demonstrates how focused they are on creating the beautiful environment that they have at Sorrento ELC. We can't thank Bianca, Jacqui, Narelle and Deb enough for welcoming our family so warmly and leaving such wonderful lasting memories for us and especially our daughter. (Mum Christina)
Receive an SCC branded t-shirt and a hat when you enrol your child
If you want to check out our full range of community centre merchandise, visit our online store here.
Policies & Procedures
Nappy Changing Policy and Procedure
Admissions and Enrolment Policy
First Aid Administration Policy
Children's Health and Safety Emergency Policy & Procedure