Starfish Early Learning Centre - Blackburn South Centre overview
Phone
(03) 9116 9063At The Starfish Centre, we prioritize the values of Belonging, Being, and Becoming for our diverse community of families, educators, and children. Since its establishment in 2009, our centre has developed a strong reputation with experienced educators and a rich history. We are proud to have multiple generations of families contribute to our culture, creating a nurturing and inclusive environment.
One of the unique aspects of our centre is the Veggie Patch Virtues program. Children at our Blackburn South location have the opportunity to work alongside our educators, participating in the maintenance and care of our thriving veggie patch. This program teaches children important values like responsibility and instills in them a respect for the environment. Located amidst the scenic beauty of nature reserves, our centre offers regular walking excursions for children to explore and connect with the natural world. These excursions provide valuable opportunities for outdoor learning and help promote an appreciation for the environment.
At The Starfish Centre, we strive to create an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, encourages individual growth, and nurtures a love for nature. We welcome families from all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for every child in our community.
Fees & Vacancies
Starfish Early Learning Centre - Blackburn South Service features
See more (10)Starfish Early Learning Centre - Blackburn South service include:
Get to know us
Health and Nutrition
Health and Nutrition
We prioritize the health and well-being of our children by providing them with fresh and nutritious meals. Our qualified chefs prepare daily meals in our commercial kitchens, ensuring that each meal meets high standards of quality and nutrition. We believe that mealtimes are not just about nourishment, but also about learning and expanding children's culinary horizons. That's why we offer a diverse range of hot and cold meals from various cuisines, introducing new flavors and textures to enhance their learning experience. To ensure the safety and cleanliness of our kitchens, we maintain a high Food and Hygiene rating and conduct regular audits to uphold the highest possible standards of cleanliness.
We understand the importance of accommodating children's allergies and dietary restrictions. All our Starfish centres are nut and egg aware, creating an allergy-safe zone for our children. We take the necessary precautions to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all. Our commitment to quality extends beyond the classroom. We believe that a well-balanced and nutritious diet plays a crucial role in a child's development. By providing fresh and wholesome meals, we aim to support their growth and give them the best start in life.
Kindergarten/Preschool Programs
Kindergarten/Preschool Programs
We offer a funded kindergarten program that may be available for your child. This program acknowledges the significance of the early years in a child's development and focuses on nurturing their cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of learning.
Our kindergarten teachers hold bachelor's degrees in early childhood education and are highly qualified to lead our educational program. This program incorporates various approaches and theories, approved by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, to provide a well-rounded learning experience for children.
We recognize the importance of the three key teachers in a child's development: family, educators, and environment. Our approach is relational, emphasizing strong connections and open communication with families and educators. We strive to create a safe, enjoyable, and enriching learning environment, ensuring that all three teachers play a crucial role in a child's growth and development. We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership and work closely with families and educators to create a supportive community that promotes optimal learning and holistic development for every child in our care.
About the curriculum
About the curriculum
We believe in providing a comprehensive curriculum that caters to the specific needs and developmental levels of our youngest learners. Our educational program for children aged 0-3 years old incorporates a range of learning opportunities, including play-based learning and sensory experiences.
We understand the importance of creating a seamless transition for children moving from our 0-3 year old program to our funded 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten programs. To ensure this smooth progression, our 0-3 year old programs are designed in a manner that is consistent with our kindergarten programs in terms of approach and methodology. However, the content is tailored to suit the specific ages and developmental levels of these younger children.
This approach allows children to build on their learning experiences and developmental milestones as they progress from our younger rooms to the kindergarten program. By providing a cohesive and consistent educational framework, we aim to support their growth and facilitate a seamless transition into the next stage of their educational journey. We understand that each child develops at their own pace, and our curriculum takes this into account. Our educators provide individualized support and guidance to ensure that every child can thrive and reach their full potential.
Centre philosophy
Centre philosophy
Starfish Philosophy (2023)
Starfish is a child safe organisation, located on Wurundjeri land.
We are a community of learners where the voices of families, children and educators are respected and valued. Children are citizens from birth with rich intelligences.
As reflected in the Early Years Learning Framework (2022), we develop a sense of Belonging, Being and Becoming for all.
We are committed to providing opportunities of play for children to express their “hundred languages” by championing wonder.
Children
We uphold the rights of children as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and support every child’s right to education, to feel safe and to be valued for who they are.
Our image of the child is defined as strong, capable, and full of potential. Each child is a unique individual with diverse learning styles and cultural identities.
We empower children to be co-constructors in their own conceptual learning and celebrate children’s rich intelligences as they discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Responsive relationships and wellbeing are prioritised and integral to learning. We build children’s resilience so that they can better navigate challenges and adversity.
Families
Families serve as the child’s first teacher, and we respect and value their contribution to our learning community. Establishing respectful relationships fosters strong partnerships with our families and therefore, support and enhance their children’s learning.
We welcome and embrace different kinship systems and diverse ways of living and being, by sharing perspectives and celebrating together.
Community
We honour and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the land in which we play and learn. We will endeavour to connect with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in our local area and advocate for their journey towards reconciliation and unity.
We strive to create opportunities within our community to share knowledge and experiences, through interaction and engagement. Children’s learning outcomes are enriched through partnerships with our community and connections to Country.
We are committed to social sustainability, through inclusive and fair decision making.
Contexts for Learning
Our image of the child is reflected in our contexts for learning, interactions, and pedagogical documentation.
The environment takes on the role of the third teacher; our educators provide flexible and aesthetically appealing contexts to provoke inquiry and exploration through natural, recycled, and man-made resources.
We value both indoor and outdoor learning contexts and develop them in collaboration with children, families, and educators.
We are committed to environmental sustainability, by caring for the natural world, and conserving resources for current and future generations.
Educators
Our pedagogical practices are guided by children’s wonder and our conceptual framework. We embrace and embed the Early Years Learning Framework and inspirations from the Reggio Emilia Educational Project.
We are unique individuals who collaborate for continuous growth and development. We participate in professional learning, reflective practice, and self-evaluation to broaden and innovate our pedagogy.
We recognise that we are all leaders in our role as educators and inspire others to reach their potential.
Interested in this centre but want to keep looking?
Share and add to your favourites for laterLocation
168 Canterbury RoadBlackburn South, VIC, 3130
Centre Reviews
James has been attending Starfish Early Learning Centre for 3 years now and during this time I have watched him grow emotionally, academically... Read more
(Translated by Google) Both of my children are attending this center for more than 3 years. Since I am start ELC course this year, I... Read more
Our child has been with starfish for almost a year now and I have to say that our experience at starfish is very pleasant. The... Read more