Nurturing curious minds. Building confident learners.
For many families, choosing an early learning centre isn't just about childcare, it's about finding the right start to your child's educational journey.
At Wesley College Elsternwick, our Early Childhood Learning Centre (ECLC) provides an exceptional learning environment for 3 and 4-year-olds where children are encouraged to explore, create, question and grow with confidence.
Rated"Exceeding" by ACECQA, our ECLC combines the warmth of a close-knit community with the benefits of a world-class school environment, helping children develop the skills, independence and love of learning that prepare them for a successful transition to school.
Why families choose Elsternwick ECLC
A school-based Early Learning experience
Unlike stand-alone centres, Elsternwick ECLC is embedded within Wesley College's Junior School, giving children access to specialist teachers, outstanding facilities and a familiar school environment from their earliest years.
From STEM to art, music, dance and the foundations of literacy and numeracy, Wesley’s approach to early education is holistic, fun and engaging. Our young learners start school with confidence, independence and a positive attitude towards learning.
Individual learning every day
No two children learn in exactly the same way.
At Wesley's Early Learning Centres, educators guide students to explore their individual interests at a pace that is right for them. Each child has an individual learning plan which informs open-ended, play-based activities that are both fun and challenging, supporting students to discover deeper meaning and make connections to their ideas.
The small size of our classes allows our teachers to observe and actively engage with students. Together with families, our teachers develop learning goals for each child to help guide, monitor and review learning progress each term.
Learning Through Curiosity and Play
Inspired by the renowned Reggio Emilia philosophy and delivered through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), our program encourages children to investigate, collaborate, think creatively and develop a genuine love of learning.
Through guided play, inquiry and exploration, children learn how to ask questions, solve problems and make meaningful connections with the world around them
What your child will experience
Every day is filled with purposeful learning opportunities that support social, emotional, physical and cognitive development
Specialist Programs
Each week, children expand their learning through specialist programs, led by highly experienced subject teachers, many of whom will continue to work with the children as they progress through Junior School. Specialist programs include:
- Music
- Dance
- Drama
- Art
- Library
- Perceptual Motor Program.
These programs help children develop creativity, confidence, coordination and communication skills while introducing them to the specialist teachers they may continue learning with throughout Junior School.
Foundations in literacy and numeracy
Our students 'learn how to learn’ through educator-led, guided play and independent inquiry. Foundational literacy and numeracy are integrated into the day-to-day program, ensuring that learning becomes a natural part of the children’s daily experiences. Class activities are a mix of structured time with specialist teachers, and less formal learning and play, influenced by children’s interests, questions and ideas.
Engaging daily with books, texts and storytelling techniques develops our young learners’ literacy and vocabulary and accelerates their language development. Our expert educators build children’s confidence and skills in numeracy by embedding counting, sorting and pattern recognition in fun, interactive games and activities.
School readiness starts here
Parents often ask: Will my child be ready for Prep?
At Elsternwick ECLC, school readiness goes beyond letters and numbers.
Children develop independence, resilience, communication skills, emotional regulation and confidence—essential foundations for a positive start to school.
Our transition program gradually familiarises children with classrooms, teachers and learning spaces, helping them move into Prep with confidence and excitement.
Staff Qualifications
Our educators hold tertiary qualifications in primary and early years’ education.
Each week, they participate in professional learning to ensure Wesley provides best practice teaching and learning for our children.
Our educators work closely with their colleagues in the Junior School to ensure a smooth transition from ECLC to Prep.
ECLC at each Campus
Early Learning Articles
7 tips to help you choose an ECLC for your preschooler
When choosing a preschool, kinder or early childhood learning centre (ECLC) for your three or four-year old, it’s great to have options. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are some tips to help you pick the perfect ECLC. Read more...
Home visits build strong foundations for our youngest learners
As part of the 3 and 4 year old Early Childhood Learning Centre (ECLC) transition program, ECLC educators from Wesley’s St Kilda Road Campus visit homes of students and their families early in the school year. Read more...
Creativity blossoms through art in the ECLC
Each day, the children have eagerly experimented, designed and created, using various materials to bring their imaginative ideas to life. Through this exploration, students have discovered that art is not just about creating pretty pictures, but a powerful way of expressing ideas, telling stories and seeing the world from new perspectives. Read more...
Wellbeing and social development
Children have access to allied health professionals onsite including the School Psychologists, and external occupational therapists and speech therapists.
We work closely with the families of our ECLC children, fostering open communication and respectful and trusting relationships.