I would like to say thank you to all the educators in the Centre. Especially all the educators in the Curl Curl room. As a mother I have seen my daughter Ella change so much since she joined the little lane for the last one year.  Before she joined, she was shy and hid behind my leg when she saw people, now she is such a confident and polite little girl. I am really impressed by what she learned from the centre. I truly believe this is a great place and I am so happy I transferred my daughter here. The words cannot say how much I appreciate all the hard work and effort everyone has put in especially during the COVID!

Parent 

Thank you for all of the care you have taken of my little boy! Like any parent I was anxious about him starting daycare but the educators put my mind at ease straight away. I feel so much better knowing he’s going to have such a fun day with everyone and he has already learned so much since he started coming! He always comes home happy and it makes me feel happy knowing he’s been so loved.

Parent 

Included in the fees are extra-curricular classes such as:

Music Program: the specialised early childhood music teacher understands the importance and benefits of prompting developing speech, vocabulary, listening, and memory skills through structured and planned music lessons.

Language Program: The Little Lane ELC Language immersion program promotes literacy, vocabulary, and understandings of cultural diversity and is facilitated by the centre’s qualified Mandarin teacher.

Art Program: a unique art curriculum allows children to explore varying methods of self-expression, communication, and interpretation, as well as promoting creativity, empathy, understanding, and physical dexterity.

Excursions & Incursions: the children enjoy trips outside of the centre in line with their educational program, as well as specialist incursions to help facilitate a love for new experiences. 

School Readiness Program: the educators understand the importance of a cohesive and supported transition to primary school and have ongoing relationships with many of the local public and private schools within the area. Throughout the year the centre hosts several opportunities to engage with these schools, so that parents can make informed decisions about their child’s future schooling after their time with Little Lane comes to an end.

At Little Lane Manly the educators are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and the work of Loris Malaguzzi. They strongly believe in the important role that play-based learning plays in helping children to develop an understanding of the world around them. The centre’s program is a fluid blend of spontaneous discovery, where children can self-select interests and resources relevant to them, as well as intentional teaching strategies that support a set goal or outcome. 

The educational program aims to foster a lifelong love of learning through hands-on learning experiences that are guided by the children’s interests and developmental goals. The educational program is a rich tapestry underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework and the centre’s own philosophy. 

The educational program is tailored to every age group and developmental stage and encourages children to grow and develop in a way that supports their individuality. The educators strongly believe in a holistic approach to education and care, with a strong focus on community and family participation and relationships. 

• Little Manly (6 weeks - 14 months)
• Little Narra (6 weeks - 14 months)
• Freshwater (14 months – 24 months)
• Manly (14 months – 24 months)
• Shelly (14 months – 24 months)
• Queenscliff (2 years – 3 years)
• Fairlight (2 years – 3 years)
• Clontarf (2 years – 3 years)
• Warriewood (2 ½ years - 3 ½ years)
• Narrabeen (2 ½ years - 3 ½ years)
• Curl Curl (3 years – 4 years)
• Dee Why (4 years – 5 years)

The educators at Little Lane Early Learning Centre Manly ensure that children feel safe, supported and challenged to learn new things and participate in new experiences. The educators seek to make sure that the environment is inviting, natural, stimulating and engaging, and that it reflects the children’s personalities and interests. 

Technology plays a role in the children’s learning, with interactive whiteboards and computers to access various educational programs. Parents can access photos and updates about their child’s day through the centre’s free app.

Educators strive to create a calm, comfortable environment where each child feels safe. The highly trained team of educators are hand-picked to support the children and their learning. The centre is well resourced and each area is specifically designed with young learners in mind. 

Educators value their centre’s connection to the local community. Links with the local schools gives the children a sense of belonging in their area. Educators want to give children the best possible start on their next steps at school, which is why they focus on the children's social development, confidence and independence at a young age.

I enjoy working with a team of passionate educators. We have a very diverse environment and a very inclusive culture. All our educators promote diversity and children’s wellbeing. Children and families feel welcomed and comfortable when they can speak to a teacher in their home language which helps us in building a stronger partnership with our families and community. We aim for the best for each child and their family.

- Educator, Little Lane Early Learning Centre Manly

The professional onsite chef at Little Lane Early Learning Centre Manly works in conjunction with the management team and families to create a seasonal, four-week rotating menu. All food is prepared fresh daily to ensure that the centre is meeting the nutritional needs of all age groups, guided by the NSW Munch and Move and Healthy Eating guidelines. Family input on the menu is actively sought and the chef loves to incorporate well-loved family meals and culturally diverse meals into the menu. The centre can cater to all allergy and dietary requirements and have stringent processes around ensuring that dietary requirements are supported. 

Mealtimes at Little Lane are viewed as a time for connection and nourishment. Educators encourage social connection during mealtimes, with team members supporting meaningful conversations between children. Mealtimes are an opportunity to model and support a positive disposition towards healthy eating practices and the educators teach the importance of taking care of our bodies and recognising our own hunger levels. 

The educators recognise the benefits for children being engaged in experiences that help foster a curiosity towards new foods and textures. Educators regularly incorporate cooking experiences into the educational program. During these experiences, the children are able to experiment with a range of learning concepts such as measurements, turn-taking and understanding the different history and perceptions of different cultures.  

The centre values open-ended and natural materials, with an emphasis on incorporating these materials into the daily program. The centre has a native garden which allows them to highlight the ongoing relationship between people and the natural world, and our role in helping to take care of the world around us. The children are actively involved in implementing sustainable practices across all age groups, from utilising food waste for composting to harvesting the fruit and vegetables from the gardens.

Morning 

Alexandra is ten months old and loves going on excursions in the pram with her nursery friends. Today they’re heading to the local park to see what birds they can spot in the trees.

Lunch 

Alexandra is playing with some soft blocks on the mat before she heads off for a nap in the sleeping area. Her educator reads her some books before preparing her for a rest. 

Afternoon

Alexandra loves music, and today the educators have set out lots of small musical instruments for the children to explore.