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Little Charlie's Early Learning Centre overview
Phone
(03) 9122 8592Little Charlie's Early Learning Centre highlights
- Regular incursions - including local emergency services including police, fire and ambulance.
- 5 to 15 hours of free 3yr old Kinder Funding available across the year.
- Funded 4yr old Kindergarten Program.
Little Charlie's Early Learning Centre is a family-owned boutique child care centre in Ferntree Gully that is staffed with experienced and enthusiastic educators. Building strong relationships with families is their number one priority, to help children feel secure enough to reach their full potential.
Outside in the natural and inviting play areas, the children love the wooden climbing frames, slides, basket swing and bikes. The children also enjoy extracurricular activities such as Bush Kindy where they can explore the natural environment.
The centre cares for children from 6 weeks to school age and is open from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm. It is minutes away from Ferntree Gully train station and local primary schools, and offers easy access to the Burwood Highway and the M1.
Programs:
Bush Kindy program - children have the opportunity to explore the natural environment in their local community and take their learning outside.
Regular incursions - about topics such as sustainability, or from emergency services including police, fire and ambulance.
About the curriculum:
The educators at Little Charlies Early Learning Centre believe that children learn best through play and strive to provide opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine.
They value and understand each child as an individual and recognise that they all have unique capabilities and interests. Educators believe in getting to know each child to be able to provide an inclusive program that supports the learning and developmental needs of all children.
Fees & Vacancies
Little Charlie's Early Learning Centre Service features
See more (20)Little Charlie's Early Learning Centre service include:
Get to know us
What the parents say
What the parents say
As a new mother, I was very worried about leaving my baby at childcare. But from the moment I stepped into Little Charlie's I felt a sense of ease. The staff are incredibly warm, caring and supportive.
I cannot recommend Little Charlie's enough, for parents wanting a safe, calm and caring environment for their children.
Dilini - parent
Really good environment for your little ones! The educators are super attentive, caring and just overall nice people. My daughter is always so excited when she hears she's going to kindy the next day. Would highly recommend Little Charlie's to all parents.
Dylan - parent
Little Charlie's is such an inviting and beautiful place for our one year old to be. The team are so loving and caring and take pride in their commitment to care. The nursery team are respectful of our personal family values, and cater to our daughters cues, needs, wants and interest.
She is always provided with high value activities and stimulation that provokes her learning and development. I cannot speak more highly of the whole team at Little Charlie's and their wonderful and thoughtful care they provide.
Beth - parent
Programs
Programs
- Bush Kindy program – children have the opportunity to explore the natural environment in their local community and take their learning outside.
- Regular incursions - about topics such as sustainability, or from emergency services including police, fire and ambulance.
- Yoga Classes - children practice mindfulness and moving their bodies during our weekly yoga classes.
- Little Sporty Legends - children learn about various team sports i.e hockey, football, soccer, basketball.
- Pram Kindy - Nursery and Toddlers - coming soon!
About the curriculum
About the curriculum
The educators at Little Charlie’s Early Learning Centre believe that children learn best through play and strive to provide opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine.
They value and understand each child as an individual and recognise that they all have unique capabilities and interests. Educators believe in getting to know each child to be able to provide an inclusive program that supports the learning and developmental needs of all children.
There are four rooms at the centre covering the following age groups:
- Butterflies - Nursery: 6 weeks – 2 years
- Wombats - Toddler: 2 years – 3 years
- Possums - Pre-Kinder: 3 years – 4 years
- Koalas - Kindergarten: 4 years – school age
Meet the team
Meet the team
All of the educators at Little Charlie’s Early Learning Centre are local professionals who are focused on supporting each child’s emotional, social, academic and physical development.
This service provides a safe, welcoming and friendly environment, and offers a comprehensive orientation process to ensure a smooth transition into care.
The centre encourages and welcomes families to participate in their child’s learning programs and progress within the centre curriculum and events. Being a smaller centre, they’re able to offer personalised service - which means you’re treated as an extension of the Little Charlie’s Family.
Little Charlie’s Early Learning Centre has such a welcoming and community feel to it. Being a small boutique centre the educators know all families and children and have developed trusting and networking relationships that allow us to be able to work together to meet each child’s and families individual care needs.
The educators here at Little Charlie’s put so much time, care, and appreciation into the work they do every day. They are passionate, dedicated and caring and are focused on providing the best possible education and care for the children.
Beth Hopper is an experienced Early Childhood Education and Care professional with a passion for fostering children’s individual growth and development. With a career in the industry since 2015, she holds a Diploma qualification and is trained in various areas, including child protection mandatory reporting, legal and practical responses to child abuse, workplace emergency procedures, food safety supervision, and more. Beth has participated in numerous professional development programs such as Circle of Security, Between the Flags, and Creating Environments, which further enhance her ability to support both children and families.
Beth’s journey in the early childhood sector began in roles such as Senior Swim Instructor and Holiday Program Coordinator before transitioning into Early Years Education. Since 2020, she has been an integral part of the Little Charlies team, supporting the organisation in various lead roles before stepping into management. In her current position, Beth is dedicated to creating an environment that encourages the holistic development of each child, while building strong, collaborative relationships with families and the broader community.
As a mother of two young children who are enrolled in the service, Beth draws upon her personal experience and understanding to be a supportive and empathetic network for families, ensuring their needs are met while promoting a nurturing and positive environment for all children. Beth’s commitment to early childhood education is driven by her unwavering belief in the power of early learning to shape a child’s future, and her dedication to making a lasting, positive impact on every child and family she supports.
Programs
Programs
Morning
Stephanie is ten months old and sits down with her friends to enjoy some breakfast. After her cereal she is ready to head outside to play in the sandpit.
Lunchtime
Stephanie has had her lunch and is now sitting with her educator to read a few books. Soon it will be time to head to the sleeping area for a nap.
Afternoon
The educators are blowing bubbles for the nursery children outside in the playground. Stephanie catches one on her hand and squeals as it pops.
Morning
Evie is two years old and heads over to her favourite educator who has set up a table with some play dough. Evie makes a snowman and decorates him with googly eyes and little sticks for arms.
Lunchtime
Evie is excited that the local firefighters are coming in to visit today, to talk about the work they do. Evie gets to try on a helmet and gets given some stickers.
Afternoon
Evie and the other toddlers play outside on the big basket swing. Evie and her friend Ally are pushed on the swing by their educator.
Morning
Tilly is four years old and enjoys the weekly Bush Kinder outings with her friends. Tilly collects some leaves to bring back to the centre to use for an art collage.
Lunchtime
After lunch, Tilly and her friends head outside to the playground. Tilly rides a bike with her friend before she heads over to try out the climbing equipment.
Afternoon
Tilly settles down at the table to use her collected leaves to make an artwork. She decides to make a lion, using the leaves as the mane.
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Share and add to your favourites for laterLocation
21 Selman AvenueFerntree Gully, VIC, 3156
Centre Reviews
I’m really disappointed with how much this centre has changed especially in the last couple of years. Worse this year still. Many... I’m really disappointed with how much this centre has changed especially in the last couple of years. Worse this year still. Many great educators who made it such a positive place have left, and now there seem to be a lot of agency or temporary staff in amongst the regular ones. Management feels absent and unapproachable, and communication with families has really dropped off. Love the educators and you can see how hard they work, often manning the kitchen, cleaning it and cooking meals on top of everything else! Overall, the management comes across as quite unprofessional, and it doesn’t feel like anyone is really on top of things. From my perspective, my child isn’t happy or engaged like they used to be, and the overall care and professionalism have declined. It feels like the focus has shifted away from genuine education and care. We’re over it, the kids seem over it, and honestly, so are many families, including us. We’re now looking elsewhere. They seem completely out of touch with how they are running things and trying to impress there’s “nothing to see here” and “nothing to worry about” but it’s not something I trust anymore just based on everything I’m seeing. The reassurance doesn’t match what we see going on. Edit: I’m also curious to know how existing parents are aware about the Google review- not many parents would be actively on Google reading reviews of a centre they already attend. That’s interesting that “supporting parents” are coming out of the woodwork. I am KIND and I’m also HONEST. If I felt happy, comfortable and confident, I’d say it and give a great review. This supportive parent review reads more like a defence from management than feedback from a parent, which makes it hard to take at face value. Authentic reviews usually focus on the children’s experiences and day-to-day care rather than management’s workload. Read more
I couldn't disagree more with these recent negative comments. Management have tirelessly supported the team, families and service at their own cost of... I couldn't disagree more with these recent negative comments. Management have tirelessly supported the team, families and service at their own cost of time and effort, we have seen that time and time again. We have found that whilst in recent time the industry has taken a blow, the continuity from LC's has provided us with ongoing trust and support in the team. I can imagine it would be hard for management to spread themselves across all needed areas and it is no wonder you have not seen them at the front desk as often as they are hands on supporting their team. I know I can always sort out management when needed, even if that means popping my head in another room from my child to see them. If anything the service has gotten better and better of the years we have been there with our child. Cut them some slack and be kind. If you have an issue chat to them directly as they are very approachable, understanding and proactive. Read more
Disappointing. Lack of professionalism from directors. Frustratingly slow to respond to inquiries or they don’t at all. They are rarely ever at the... Disappointing. Lack of professionalism from directors. Frustratingly slow to respond to inquiries or they don’t at all. They are rarely ever at the reception desk anymore opting to remain upstairs in the staff only space talking about things that probably shouldn’t be discussed in open spaces. It’s very difficult to find someone to speak to when you need to. So frustrating! I’ve heard disappointing conversations being had up there. It has really gone downhill. Decrease in quality of care in every aspect. Parents do talk to each other. Won’t be re-enrolling or recommending. Read more