The Centre for Early Education – Ballarat Grammar’s Early Learning Centre
The CEEd is a beautiful purpose-built facility located on the grounds of Ballarat Grammar featuring bright, natural and interactive learning spaces for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
A strong community of young learners within a larger community of learners, we work hard to nurture a sense of belonging where the children, parents and other significant people and educators feel welcome and engaged.
Our Philosophy
Our approach draws on many influences, traditional and contemporary, as well as the experiential research of our staff based on many years of experience. We are strongly influenced by the work of many leaders in Early Childhood Education including the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Steiner, Montessori, Gardner and Malaguzzi, among others.
Curriculum
We recognise the critical importance of high quality experiences and programs for young children and we strive to foster each child’s development, growth and image of themselves as a capable learner. We believe that early childhood is a unique and important time and that the excitement and wonder of the young child should be central to our curriculum.
Our children are encouraged and supported to become self-disciplined, creative and confident learners who have the desire to solve problems, think, act, create and learn in order to reach their full potential.
We strive to create an environment where children feel happy, safe and challenged. Research confirms that social relationships are the main vehicle through which children learn and our curriculum provides many and varied opportunities for the children to play and interact freely within our carefully planned environment.
We are proud of achieving an overall rating of ‘Exceeding National Quality Standards’.
Our curriculum is guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
Bush Kinder Program
Drawing on the well-researched benefits of outdoor learning, our Bush Kinder Program for our Reception and Kindergarten groups is held outside whether rain, hail or shine. The children use the spacious natural environment on the Grammar campus to source their own learning – there are no tools, no toys, no mark making and no art supplies.
Technology to Support Learning
Children in our Reception and Kindergarten programs are encouraged to engage with technology. Desktop computers with interactive monitors, iPods, interactive whiteboards, overhead projectors and light boxes are all on offer to the children as tools to enhance their learning through exploration and accessing information.
Part of Ballarat Grammar
Educating the Whole Child
Being part of Ballarat Grammar creates wonderful opportunities for our children.
Ballarat Grammar’s strategic focus on the education of the whole child is highly valued by staff, parents and children across all areas of the School. Our learning environment at the CEEd focuses on preparing children for the world, nourishing their joy in the learning process and building skills for use throughout their life.
An Extended Learning Environment
The Ballarat Grammar campus offers additional learning opportunities for the children beyond the immediate facility. The built environments, including indoor stadiums, playgrounds, pool, libraries and performing arts areas among others, are used to enhance cross-age interaction and provide broad and different learning experiences.
We love being part of Ballarat Grammar while maintaining our own identity and independence.
The natural environments are diverse yet contained and safe, including ovals, gardens, an outdoor learning sanctuary, animal areas and water ways among others, and are used to challenge and stimulate learning.
Cross-Age Learning Opportunities
Cross-age activities with the Junior and Senior Schools offer huge benefits for our children and the older students. Examples include VCE students observing the developmental milestones of young children first hand and Year 5 students interacting with their Kindergarten Buddies.
Programs
From 7:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday for 48 weeks, depending on the program
Infants and Toddlers (Child Care)
- For children aged 6 months to 3 years
- Children are grouped to meet their developmental needs
- Each room caters for a maximum of eight children with three educators
- Children may be enrolled 2, 3, 4 or 5 days a week, 48 weeks of the year with care available from 7:30am to 6pm
Reception (Pre-Kindergarten)
- For children aged from 3 years
- 2 or 3 days between 8:40 am and 3:15pm
- School terms or 48 weeks
Kindergarten
- For children aged from 4 years
- 2, 3, 4 or 5 days
- School terms or 48 weeks
- Regular excursions and incursions
- Specialist Music and Art Programs, Perceptual Motor Program (PMP), Buddy Program, Transition to School Program
Before and After Care Program
- Available to 48-week Reception and Kindergarten children
- Before Care Program from 7:30am
- After Care Program until 6pm
Holiday Program
- Available to 48-week Reception and Kindergarten children during non-term weeks
Our Staff
We are a team of highly qualified and experienced Early Childhood professionals.
We are very committed to ongoing professional learning which, together with our belief in the importance of collaboration with families, ensures that all of our children are supported to reach their full potential as early learners.
Transition to School Program
As part of our focus on a positive transition to Prep we begin our Transition to School Program in Term 3. This includes a Buddy Program with Year 5 students and visits between the CEEd and the Junior School.
Parent Volunteer Program
We strongly believe that the educational opportunities and experiences for our children are maximised when staff, children and parents work together. There are many ways that parents and extended family members can become involved at the CEEd.
Contact Us
We warmly invite you to come and see us at the CEEd. Tours are conducted at 10am on the first Friday of every month. To book a tour or for any enrolment enquiry please contact us on +61 3 5338 0896.
The CEED 4 Year Old Kindergarten Programs are supported by the Victorian Government. 