Early Learning Centre

ELC Biggest Morning Tea

This week on Tuesday and Thursday we hosted a "Biggest Morning Tea" to raise money for people who are sick. 

We enjoyed delicious fruit, pikelets and yoghurt.

Stay tuned next time for an update an how much we raised!

Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden

The excitement level was high as the Preschool children arrived at ELC ready and waiting for an adventurous morning at the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. In the days leading up to the excursion we watched “Getting Ready to be Garden Adventurers” a video provided by Adelaide Botanic Garden to help our little learners “discover how being outdoors can help wiggly feelings disappear and learn how to explore a botanic garden safely and kindly.” 

The morning of the excursion, we revisited and discussed the importance of safety practices for travelling on the school bus, walking safely to and from the gardens, and moving carefully together through different spaces. The children did so well to remind us and each other, of being safe by walking, using our listening ears and being respectful to God’s creations, plants, animals and the people we would be interacting with. 

The bus ride was full of excited chatter as we made our way to the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Upon arriving at the gardens, the children were warmly welcomed by Alicia, Lihn, and Maureen, our garden educators, who guided us through a range of engaging hands-on experiences.

Maureen led the seed planting experience, where the children explored a variety of seeds, some tiny and some very large. We discovered that the coconut is the largest seed in the world! The children then had the opportunity to plant their own seed to take home. They carefully filled small pots with soil and planted their own pea seeds, giving them a little drink of water for the journey home. Maureen explained that to “wake up” a seed, it needs soil, water, and sunshine to help it grow.

Lihn taught the children all about worms and the important role they play in gardens. The children enthusiastically shared their knowledge about the worm farm at ELC, impressing Lihn with what they already knew. Together, we explored worm castings and learned how they can be used as fertiliser to help plants grow strong and healthy. The children gently handled the worms with wet hands, showing great care, confidence, and respect for these tiny living creatures.

In Alicia’s group, the children went foraging through the garden to discover a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. They found a tromboncino squash, cucamelons, edible flower petals, lettuce, capsicum, and beautifully scented herbs and flowers. Alicia showed us the smallest broccoli we’ve ever seen, telling us how soon it will grow bigger and be ready for harvesting. The children showed great curiosity and bravery as they explored and tasted new foods, flavours, and textures.

Throughout the excursion, the children demonstrated curiosity, confidence, teamwork, and respect for the natural environment while deepening their understanding of how plants and living things grow and thrive. 

Back in our classroom, we drew inspiration from the 100 languages of learning and expressed our interpretations of the produce brought back from the Little Sprouts Garden through visual arts, drawing fruit and vegetables and using water colours to paint the tombocino. The children also shared their growing knowledge of how to help plants grow, reminding each other of the elements needed to help their seed grow at home.

We cannot wait to see where else this learning takes us as we continue to bring this passion and knowledge back to our ELC gardens.

Blessings,

Ellice Kalialaha & Leesa Sanders

Preschool Teachers

Emmaus Early Explorers Upcoming Sessions!

• Wed 17 June

• Wed 1 July

   

If you have a child aged three or younger, we warmly invite you to join us for play and connection at Emmaus Early Explorers. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and learn together while your little ones have a great time in safe surroundings. 

Emmaus Early Explorers is facilitated by our ELC Director, Mrs Lauren Hughes, and our College Chaplain, Mr Joel Overweel.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your family and friends.

For more information, please contact Kim Sabine at ksabine@emmauscc.sa.edu.au.

Brooklyn Park to offer 3-year-old Preschool from 2027

Our Brooklyn Park Early Learning Centre has been selected as an official Flying Start Partner by the Government of South Australia, commencing in 2027.

As part of this partnership, our centre has also been chosen to receive Preschool Boost funding for 3-year-old children, a significant investment that supports the continued delivery of high-quality early childhood education.

What this means for our families

This funding enables us to further strengthen the exceptional early learning experience we already provide by:

• Continuing our teacher-led 3-year-old education delivered by highly qualified Early Childhood Teachers
• Enhancing our curriculum, maintaining a rich, play-based learning program designed to support every child’s development
• Providing additional support for children and families, including access to services such as speech and occupational therapy where needed
• Investing in Educator excellence through ongoing professional development, planning time, and resources for our teaching team

Learn more about Flying Start 3-year-old preschool

View the Family Guide Below

ELC Upcoming Events