Early Learning Centre

Enrolments are open for free 3 and 4 year old sessional kindergarten.

Enrol through Casey Council for Hillsmeade Kindergarten.

Long Day Care enrolments with kindergarten is through the ELC office.

You can contact the ELC or pop in for a visit for enrolment inquires.

Phone: 9704 6313 - Option ELC

Email: elc@hillsmeade.vic.edu.au

What is happening in the ELC

Our Learning

During this fortnight in the 3 and 4 year old kindergarten, the children have been undertaking learning in the following areas:

Reading	Children have been tuning into and reflecting on the sequence of events. Children have been exploring storytelling through small world play based on familiar stories (The hungry caterpillar etc.) Continuing to identify the first letter of their names in its written form and brainstorming other words that start with that letter.
Writing	Developing and strengthening their fine motor skills through a wide range of activities (pegboards, threading and weaving pipe cleaners/ paper etc.) Incorporating writing in their play as they use symbols and marks on paper in the vet dramatic play area, sand tray or drawing table.
STEM	Continuing to study the life cycle of plants and investigating the different parts of these, their functions and what they require to grow. To facilitate their developing understanding, the children have begun to plant seeds in glass fronted containers, which they will be able to watch grow, documenting the changes through photographs and drawings. Beginning to link sustainable practices and how these have an impact on living things. Exploring cause and effect through creating marble runs Exploring informal units of measurement by using a variety of scoops in a sensory tray of bird seeds Exploring the sensory properties of Oobleck.
Inquiry	This term the children in the ELC are undertaking a new Unit of Inquiry, Our World, Our Future, which will focus their learning on how our actions impact the environment and sustainable practices The children have participated in exploring the school environment and encouraged to collect natural items while on their walk Each kindergarten group has begun to delve deeper and explore the topic of interest (mini beasts, bees, life cycle of a seed etc.) emerging from their group with a focus on how our actions can impact the environment.
Social & emotional learning	Discussing and sharing three positive things that has happened during the kindergarten sessions.

News and Reminders

Biggest Morning Tea – Thursday May 25th. 8:30am – 9:30am and 10:30am – 11:30am
Allied Health Visits Parent Meet and Greet – Tuesday May 23rd and Wednesday May 24th. 8:15am – 10:15am
Grandparents/Special Guest Day (Details to follow for each kindergarten group) - Week 6: 29th May – 2nd June.

Celebration of Learning

Mini beast exploration with spiny leaf insects.