Orchard Early Learning Kirrawee
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Orchard Early Learning Kirrawee Centre overview
Orchard Early Learning Kirrawee Centre highlights
- Expansive Natural Outdoor Play Area
- Paddock to Plate Garden
- Preschool & School Readiness Program
Welcome to Orchard Early Learning Centre - Kirrawee!
Orchard Early Learning Centre offers a fresh approach to early learning, drawing on the natural environment to inspire children to become discoverers, learners and thinkers holistically preparing them for a life of learning and wellbeing.
Led by an experienced and warm Educational team, we focus on creating playful learning experiences that allow children to engage thoughtfully and inquisitively with the ever-evolving world around them.
Architecturally designed, our Kirrawee centre provides a natural haven for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years in the heart of the Sutherland Shire. Featuring dedicated Nursery and Preschool centres, connected by a central staircase, families are immediately transported to a calm oasis, filled with light, space and surrounded by a thriving natural environment.
Open from 6:30am to 6:30pm, the centre is located on Oak Road, just off the Princes Highway, with ample parking to make drop-off and pick-up easy for families.
We understand the enormous amount of trust families invest in us as Educators. We take this responsibility very seriously and use it to guide our daily interactions with each other, the children in our care and our families.
For us, there is nothing more important than ensuring each child is safe, cared for and nurtured.
Fees & Vacancies
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Orchard Early Learning Kirrawee Service features
See more (5)Orchard Early Learning Kirrawee service include:
Get to know us
What the parents say
What the parents say
Our daughter has been so happy at Kirrawee and made so many leaps in her development. We especially would like to thank her educators for their kindness and support of us all. She has never once not wanted to go to daycare and comes home happy, dirty and exhausted.
Mel - Parent
It is far more than just a preschool or early learning facility. The children are immersed in an environment where they are taught to interact with their natural environment with both curiosity and respect. They are introduced to a range of natural outdoor play areas, including being able to interact with the chickens (collecting eggs for cooking in the kitchen), grow vegetables and are introduced to the paddock to plate philosophy that we really love - not to mention the most delicious, healthy food that has helped our fussy eater expand his palate.
We have really felt that both of our children have been given opportunities to develop their confidence and their own personalities have been nurtured individually according to their needs by the wonderful and caring educators. The transition to school program was also wonderful in helping our eldest transition to kindy this year.
We could not speak more highly of Orchard Early Learning Centre and are very grateful we have a couple more years left there with our youngest!
Elisabeth - Parent
As our first born, my husband and I were eager, and somewhat nervous, about finding the right day care centre for our little boy. From the first time we walked into Orchard Early Learning Centre, we were impressed by the warmth and professionalism of the staff, the open space and layout of the children's rooms and the outdoor play area and the attention to activities and learning through play.
We started our son in day care at the precious age of only 4 months due to work commitments, and after getting to know the educators, we felt safe knowing that our little guy was in good hands.
Over a year has passed and we have seen our son grow and learn from interacting with his peers, engaging with his educators and learning through the range of activities and abundance of toys provided by the centre.
We believe that our son has been able to gain valuable life and social skills, and feel that attending day care in a fun, friendly and safe environment has helped him develop into the happy, playful and confident young boy that he is today.
Leah - Parent
Upon my return to work in Oct 2012, I had been searching for full-time daycare for my then, 10month old son and was extremely underwhelmed at the choices offered up in the Sutherland shire. Most centres were dark, stale and felt more like an expensive babysitting service and none of the managers of these centres seemed indifferent to whether I sent my son there or not, which made me quite apprehensive about my return to work and putting my son in care.
I had seen Orchard ELC Kirrawee going through its build stage and had been waiting for them to announce their opening so I could go in and meet with them. From the initial site inspection before their doors had even opened for business, my husband and I met with Koh, the centre director, who was so warm and engaging and was really focused on the education aspect of the centre, we decided that day we would enrol our son.
From that point on, we have been so happy with the education and care our son has received at Orchard ELC Kirrawee. Like any large centre, you do sometimes feel like your child will get lost in the crown but at pick up each day, I am always told how my son’s day was and am always updated on any incidents or positive feedback for the day.
The centre is beautiful aesthetically, the indoor space is full of natural light and the outdoor area space is a rich playground of gardens, natural textures and my son’s favourite – the tractor and the chickens. The educators for the most part are absolutely wonderful and it warms me to know that my son who will have entered this centre at just 10 months old, will graduate alongside his favourite carers and peers before going to Primary School.
Thank you Orchard ELC Kirrawee, for all you do! You certainly make the choice to be a full time working mum that much easier!
Leish - Parent
For our family, Orchard ELC Kirrawee has been great. With no family here in Sydney and having to put our son into care 5 days a week, it was really important to us to find a centre that we felt had educators that take the time to build relationships and bonds with the children. We never want our son to feel uncomfortable or like he doesn’t belong there.
I was so nervous the first few weeks and was so worried as any new parent is, leaving him in the care of others and trusting that he would be ok. I had nothing to worry about. Every morning the educators welcome him with big cuddles and smiles, and every afternoon I get stopped by them all to tell me how amazing he was that day and how clever he is, and they share with me all the new things he is learning. He continues to surprise me every day with a new fact or thing he has learnt there!
Every centre is constantly evolving and learning, and with Orchard ELC Kirrawee still being quite a new centre, they are really open to new ideas and suggestions that parents may have. They have been consistently proactive when an issue arises in how to solve it or make it better for the future. I think that is a great value to have.
I am really happy that we chose Orchard ELC Kirrawee, this centre is definitely the right fit for our family.
Chanel - Parent
Orchard Early Learning Centre is 10 stars from me. My daughter has been attending the Kirrawee Centre since it opened in October 2019 when she was 17 months old.
It was a difficult decision as we were not sure any centre would live up to our expectations (especially as first time parents). The centre itself is a beautiful learning environment. The indoor area is vibrant and engaging. There is always plenty of room for imaginative play.
The outdoor area is a huge highlight for us with a garden, chickens, stingless bees and a tractor. The children spend lots of time outside in the fresh air, learning through play, thanks to the enormous outdoor play area which has largely covered areas making it accessible to use throughout all seasons. It’s simply wonderful for children.
Orchard ELC has friendly, knowledgeable staff who combine fun with education. They are all wonderfully warm and caring and show genuine interest in the children and their care.
My daughter is happy, she has made beautiful friends and I would highly recommend Orchard Early Learning Centre Kirrawee.
Kara - Parent
Centre philosophy
Centre philosophy
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.
Programs
Programs
- 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.
About the curriculum
About the curriculum
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 Kirrawee are:
- Dreamers Room: 6 weeks - 1 year
- Discoverers Room: 1 year - 2 years
- Explorers Room: 2 years - 3 years
- Early Learners Room: 3 years - 3 ½ years
- Preschool Room: 3 ½ years - 6 years
Meet the team
Meet the team
With our belief in high quality practices, we understand the importance of risky play which is ever more important in our ever changing and challenging world ahead.
With nurturing educators, purpose built spaces and a connection towards nature, Orchard ELC is here to prepare children for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Si Ning Koh (Masters in Education) - Centre Director, Orchard ELC Kirrawee
Health & nutrition
Health & nutrition
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.
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112 Oak RoadKirrawee, NSW, 2232
Centre Reviews
My son has been going to Orchard ELC for almost 4 months now and he’s doing great there. He loves the educators, plays... My son has been going to Orchard ELC for almost 4 months now and he’s doing great there. He loves the educators, plays with lots of toys, enjoys the food and he is learning to become more autonomous and confident in his skills. We also love receiving the daily updates and getting photos of what he’s been doing on the day via the app! I’ve recommended Orchard to many of my friends with little ones ☺️ Read more
Great place for your children! Great place for your children!