An integral part of the Saint Stephen’s College campus, is our Early Learning Centre “The Secret Garden.” It provides an innovative, fun and nurturing early learning experience for children. Our highly skilled and caring educators are committed to providing engaging programs that support the social, intellectual and physical development of our youngest students. Being part of a single, inclusive and connected campus allows opportunities to visit the school’s library, participate in whole-of-school events and become familiar with staff and students, which builds confidence and assists in a positive transition to school.
We are proud providers of Free Kindy from 1 January 2024. Free Kindy is for children who are aged at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they start school. Free Kindy is 15 hours a week (or 600 hours a year/40 weeks of the year) government-approved educational program delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
About The Secret Garden
At The Secret Garden, we focus on helping children to grow and blossom into happy, confident and well-balanced individuals. We offer a purposefully limited-place Centre, which ensures that children are part of a close community where everyone knows them. This allows us to provide personalised care so that they feel secure and supported, creating an ideal foundation for young learners to develop and grow.
We take this duty very seriously. We believe that all children are special, and our philosophy is to provide opportunities for healthy growth and development while fostering each child’s unique abilities through exposure to fun, exciting and challenging experiences. Our highly qualified and experienced early learning educators take a holistic approach to nurturing the development of the children in our care. We work in partnership with families and communicate daily to keep them informed of progress and achievements.
As part of the College, children who attend the Centre participate in activities within the College and get to know older students and teachers. These experiences build familiarity, confidence and belonging which greatly contribute to a positive transition to school.
To ensure we cater to individual developmental needs, the Centre offers three distinct classes in our Grasshopper, Dragonfly and Butterfly rooms.
- Grasshopper Room (Kindy) 2.5 years to 3.5 years. Children must turn 3 before the 30 June year of enrolment.
- Dragonfly Room (Pre-Prep) 3.5 years to school age. Children must turn 4 before the 30 June year of enrolment.
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Butterfly Room (Pre-Prep) 3.5 years to school age. Children must turn 4 before the 30 June year of enrolment. Curriculum
Our program is based on the Early Years Learning Framework as outlined in the National Curriculum and the Queensland Kindergarten Early Learning Guidelines. Each child’s development is supported through a negotiated Emergent Curriculum where children and families can influence the program.
We offer numeracy and literacy classes, as well as a dedicated sports program, yoga classes and technology-based activities. Children also have access to co-curricular activities such as dancing, tennis and more through approved external providers that attend the Centre.
The ‘Secret Garden’ Pre-Prep Program is available to children who turn four years old by 30 June in the year prior to attending Preparatory. Degree-qualified, early childhood teachers deliver the Program and educational learning outcomes are based on both the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and the National Curriculum Early Years Learning Framework. Children receive exceptional academic, sporting, cultural, social and technological educational experiences and are active participants in Saint Stephen’s College’s events and resources. This is beneficial in supporting them through their transition from Kindergarten to Preparatory school. Children are required to attend the program for 15 hours per week (over two or more days a week) for 40 weeks of the year.
We believe that it takes a village to raise a child and feel privileged to partner with families on this journey. At Saint Stephen’s Early Learning Centre families find a place where they truly belong.
