Elles Belles Early Learning Ormond

Elena Gorozidis -  Founder/Approved Provider

Elena created, owned and operated a successful 130 place Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten in Docklands, Melbourne. The site was a heritage listed building and the service was especially designed for the space with a well-considered modern fit out. Under Elena’s leadership, the facility developed into a highly successful business, which lead to her selling the business to the Mayor of Monash and his family in 2015. This further instilled her drive to create and operate her own high-quality services as Elles Belles Early Learning. Part of her role as the owner saw her managing up to fifty staff at any given time and a proven track record of excellent leadership, business, management, and training skills.

Elena is hands on in her campuses and involved in all operational matters from heading staff meetings, marketing, advertising, planning the curriculum, to teaching the children. She builds the campuses from the ground up with her own vision and creates a welcoming and nurturing environment, allowing innovation to be brought into the childcare sector. During the planning and building stages there are always obstacles however, Elena was there with the tradesmen, builders, architects, and council planners, ensuring that quality work was achieved whilst maintaining a hands-on approach in the building of the business. The interior design palette, resources and equipment are carefully selected by Elena and the Department of Education and Training are always impressed by what is achieved shown through numerous flawless Service Approval’s.

Over 250 interviews are undertaken by Elena to find the strongest team to lead, educate, care and cook for the children. Elena has strong networking connections after many years in the industry and she aims to seek out and employ people for Elles Belles Early Learning campuses with as much drive and passion as she has.

Lucy Holmes- Operations Manager

Lucy’s passion and enduring love for babies led her to the childcare industry in England where she studied the Nursery Nursing Examination Board qualification and continued her education after she emigrated to Australia. Lucy currently holds a Diploma in Children services, along with her Training and Assessing qualification, which she put to use by teaching Certificate III in Children Services.

During her working career from 2006, Lucy has been provided with opportunities to work with all age groups, along with an array of cultural diversity, both with team members and families alike. Lucy’s commencement in childcare began as a Centre Director managing a privately owned childcare service and then moving to the corporate sector which continued for over six years.

In 2013, Lucy progressed into Operations, in conjunction with the start-up of new services, and overseeing the project management of new builds, from service approval to the opening of centres for operation. Being able to influence and implement growth within Early Education and Care is something she is extremely passionate about, along with being able to assist educators and role model within the rooms, is something she strives to achieve on a daily basis within her role.

Zeina Zahalan- Ormond Campus Director

Zeina is the Campus Director at Elles Belles Early Learning Ormond and has been in the Early Learning sector from the age of eighteen. Zeina has been a room leader, educating and caring for children, which has provided her the opportunity to manoeuvre her way through to various leadership roles within the sector. She has completed her Advanced Diploma in Children Services. This includes, workplace health and safety officer, Educational Leader for 124 place service and most recently Campus Director. Zeina’s passion for high quality care incorporates a home away from home feel, along with creating positive, trusting and lasting relationships with children, families and educators alike.

Constance Pandousis - Assistant Campus Director

Constance is the Assistant Director at the Ormond campus and has been in the industry for 11 years. Constance completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and care in 2012, since then she has successfully managed multiple rooms including Nursery and Pre-Kinder room and held the position as Education Leader here at the Ormond campus. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed mentoring and managing a team through demonstration, positive feedback and encouragement and thrives in a team environment. Constance is passionate about making sure all children feel included and have a sense of being and belonging whilst here at Elles Belles, she looks forward to meeting you all and building strong relationships with the children and families of the Ormond campus Belles, she looks forward to meeting you all and building strong relationships with the children and families of the Ormond campus Constance thrives in a team environment and is passionate about making sure all children feel included and have a sense of being and belonging whilst at Elles Belles.

• Willow - 6wks to 12mths
• Banksia - 12mths to 2yrs
• Acacia - 2yrs to 3yrs
• Jacaranda - 3yrs to 4yrs
• Kindergarten - 4yrs to 5yrs

Greek lessons:

Elles Belles Ormond campus introduces Greek culture to children and families through literacy and numeracy, as well as music, food and language. These lessons take place in the classrooms to support the children’s awareness of this historical culture.

Cooking classes:

Cooking classes are hands on! They teach children about measuring, stirring, pouring and assist in developing early science and mathematical concepts. To promote health and nutrition, the organic fruit and vegetable garden is used in conjunction with these experiences- teaching children the cycle of life. The best part is the sense of achievement children get when they eat their delicious creations.

Outdoor sleeping program:

Elles Belles promotes children’s connection to the natural environment through a voluntary outdoor sleeping program. This great opportunity focuses on the emotional and psychological wellbeing of each child, as well as enhancing their immunity through the exposure to fresh air.

Fitness and movement:

The Elles Belles Ormond campus has a fitness and movement program that enables children to take considered risks in their play within both indoor and outdoor environments. It is a fun and enthusiastic extracurricular activity that promotes children’s gross motor skills and social interactions through laughter and team experiences. A variety of music and movement opportunities are incorporated, enabling children to develop conscious awareness of their body positioning and explore a range of motions, flexibility, strength and coordination.

Art Lessons:

Through the creative art studio, children learn through a Reggio Emilia inspired environment. Open ended art lessons are conducted, promoting children’s imagination and creativity through expression of art.

Educators believe children are the founders of their own learning and are encouraged to construct their own learning through play and creativity, which is a respected pathway of learning.

The Elles Belles Early Learning Curriculum is built upon 4 essential pillars:

1. The Whole (Holistic) Child: Children are naturally curious beings, filled with wonder. The team understands that by fostering children’s individualism, they are equipping them to build their confidence and social skills.
2. The Natural Environment: the educators focus on creating activities and organic play spaces for the children to independently or collaboratively explore and wonder. They teach the children about living things as this helps them develop empathy and understanding for the natural environment.
3. The Scaffolding Elles Belles Early Learning Educators: the centre’s highly experienced educators play an imperative role as scaffolders; teaching the children to think for themselves, share ideas and learn with guidance rather than force.
4. Identity Psychology (Real World & Purpose): the team gives the children opportunities to develop their knowledge of the world they live in, in terms of the cultural and social aspects of their own families and communities.

The Ormond campus has a qualified chef working in their own commercial kitchen, alongside a spacious dining room. The children can see through to the kitchen from the servery, giving them time to see how their meals are being cooked, interacting with the chef and helping to serve the food. 

The campus offers progressive meals so that the children can eat when they are ready, without interrupting their play. The menu is nutritionally balanced and culturally diverse, consisting of breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. It is a nut and egg free centre, and children with allergies and anaphylaxis are very welcome.

The campus uses their own fruit and veggie garden to promote health and nutrition to the children. The children can pick their own vegetables to add to their daily meals with the chef.