Orchard Early Learning Centre St Ives

The centre prides itself on its commitment to:

Children - the Educators see children as collaborators, and use each child’s interests to develop an ever changing and challenging early learning program.

Care - the Educators are highly experienced, with a genuine passion for early years education.

Environment - they have created a fun play space that encourages each child to become an explorer, learner and thinker.

Families - community is important and the centre encourages all families to be part of the centre.

• Yoga and mindfulness program - includes breathing and movement practices to relax the body and mind, and help reduce stress.

• Nature based sustainability program - the Wild Kids Australia Eco Program aims to reconnect children with their natural environment.

• Paddock to plate nutrition program - children are encouraged to be actively involved in the planting, caring and harvesting of produce, in order to learn where their food comes from.

• School readiness program - the educators scaffold children’s learning through a wide range of experiences that set them up for successful lifelong learning.

• Artist in residence program - a dedicated art space for the 3-5 year olds, where the children are free to be creative.

Orchard Early Learning Centres are committed to and advocate for learning environments that provide opportunity for children to engage in open-ended, diverse and meaningful learning experiences that are connected to nature, while also being connected to the Early Years curriculum. The curriculum is underpinned by a vision for children who are competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging. They provide children with open-ended interactions, spontaneity, risk-taking, exploration, discovery and connection with nature.

The Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards acknowledge the importance of outdoor natural learning environments recognising that we (Australia) are an outdoor nation, and outdoor learning spaces offer a vast array of possibilities not available indoors. Orchard Early Learning Centres are designed with this in mind. 

The play spaces in natural environments include plants, fruit trees, edible gardens, sensory gardens, sand, rocks, mud, water, stones, sticks, bees and chickens. Orchard Early Learning Centres strive to foster an appreciation of the natural environment, develop environmental awareness and provide a platform for ongoing environmental education for all Orchard children.

The rooms at Orchard Early Learning Centre St Ives are:

• Dreamers Room: 6 weeks - 1 year   
• Discoverers Room 1: 1 year - 2 years 
• Discoverers Room 2: 1.5 years - 2.5 years
• Explorers Room: 2 years - 3 years
• Early Learners Room: 3 years - 3 ½ years 
• Preschool Room: 3 ½ years - 6 years

I have a passion for the outdoors and sustainable practices. I am excited to bring that passion to the new generation.

I also want to create a bridge between early education and the transition to school so our children are capable and competent contributors!

Annie Russo (Bachelor of Education) - Centre Director, Orchard Early Learning Centre St Ives

The children’s connection to natural food from the environment is clear from the centre’s abundant gardens and orchards. There is also a stingless bee hive, fragrant lavender garden and free-range chickens who give fresh eggs each day.

The centre’s Paddock to Plate philosophy sees the children involved with planting, caring and harvesting the produce that is used to prepare their meals. They also offer support for breastfeeding mothers including a quiet space to feed or pump, and space to store milk for the day.

By giving the children an active role in preparing the meals and snacks, the centre encourages them to be armed with the knowledge and independence to make healthy choices as they grow and develop. The children enjoy their food together in the outdoor undercover eating area, where they also develop important social and self-help skills under the watchful eyes of their educators.