Our Early Learning Centre in Forestville

A warm, home-like atmosphere of inclusive play-based learning is at the core of our early learning centre’s philosophy and practice. We believe that children thrive and learn best when they feel safe, supported and respected for who they are, and when their learning is guided by their own interests and choices.

Children’s learning becomes meaningful when they are free to learn at their own pace and in their own way. We place high value on intentional teaching and adult-child interactions through which educators bring a rich knowledge base to support children to move onto new and higher levels of understanding. As families are children’s best and first teachers, we strive to work in close partnership with families to strengthen all areas of a child’s growth, including their emotional and social growth, feelings of self-competence and dispositions to learn and expectations to succeed.

Our Forestville Early Learning Centre is a purpose-built preschool on the grounds of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School.

• We welcome children aged 3 – 6 years.
• Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am – 3.30pm during the school term.
• Preschool after school care is available Monday to Thursday from 3.30pm – 6.00pm
• We support families and children from varying ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
• We welcome children with additional needs.
• Enrolment is open to all members of the community regardless of your religious beliefs or the primary school your child will attend.
• Our staff are all highly qualified educators.
• We are a not-for-profit organisation and our fee structure is designed to cover the operations of the preschool.

FEE RELIEF IS AVAILABLE

Forestville ELC receives funding under the NSW Department of Education’s Start Strong for Community Preschools program and fee relief is available for families.

• Fee relief funding up to $4,347 per eligible child per year is available to deliver affordable quality preschool education. Fee relief can only be claimed at one service. If you are claiming relief at another service, you will be required to pay fees without the Start Strong Fee Relief.
• Families can receive fee relief for 15 hours per week (2 days). Additional days can be requested however these are unfunded days.
• Children from priority cohorts including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, families holding a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or those with disability or additional needs are eligible for further reduced fees (known as an equity fee).

Please reach out and we will work with you to understand and maximise your Start Strong fee relief funding.