Elles Belles Early Learning Ormond

Elena Gorozidis -  Founder/Approved Provider

Elena created, owned and operated a successful 130 place Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten in Docklands, Melbourne. The site was a heritage listed building and the service was especially designed for the space with a well considered modern fit out. Under Elena’s leadership, the facility developed into a highly successful business, which lead to her selling the business to the Mayor of Monash and his family in 2015. This further instilled her drive to create and operate her own high quality services as Elles Belles Early Learning.

Part of her role as the owner saw her managing up to fifty staff at any given time and a proven track record of excellent leadership, business, management and training skills. Elena is hands on in her campuses and involved in all operational matters from heading staff meetings, marketing, advertising, leading the team, employment, planning the curriculum, to teaching the children. She builds the campuses from the ground up with her own vision and creates a welcoming and nurturing environment, allowing innovation to be brought into the Early Learning sector. During the planning and building stages there are always obstacles however, Elena was there with the tradesmen, builders, architects and council planners, ensuring that quality work was achieved whilst maintaining a hands on approach in the building of the business.

The interior design palette, resources and equipment are carefully selected by Elena and the Department of Education and Training are always impressed by what is achieved shown through numerous flawless Service Approval’s. Over 250 interviews have been undertaken by Elena to find the strongest team to lead, educate, care and cook for the children. Elena has strong networking connections after many years in the industry and she aims to seek out and employ people for Elles Belles Early Learning campuses with as much drive and passion as she has. Elena says that one of her main goals is to cultivate an extraordinary team and culture. “Developing human potential is at the heart of everything we do.”

Elena is the mother of two beautiful boys and will be between both campuses, to support with the operations of the services, as well as continuing to grow the wonderful Elles Belles community. Elena thanks you for choosing and trusting Elles Belles to be a part of your child/ren’s early years of life. I look forward to working closely with you all.

Jimmy Gorozidis- Co-owner

Hello my name is Jimmy and I am the Co-Owner of Elles Belles Early Learning. I have been supporting my wife Elena in the background since inception and am now at the forefront and looking forward to meeting you all. I am a dedicated father to my two sons. Being a parent is truly the most rewarding and fulfilling part of my life. It is also challenging and tiring. If I can provide any support in any way my door is always open.

Zeina Zahalan- Central Support

Zeina is the Central Support for both our Cheltenham and Ormond campus. Zeina has been a room leader, educating and caring for children, which has provided her the opportunity to manoeuvre her way through to various leadership roles within the sector. This includes, workplace health and safety officer, educational leader for 124 place service, Campus Director for a newly built 94 place service and most recently, central support in head office.

Zeina’s passion for high quality care incorporates a home away from home feel, along with creating positive, trusting, and lasting relationships with children, families and educators alike.

Constance Pandousis - Campus Director

Constance is the Director at the Ormond campus and has been in the industry for 11 years. Constance completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care in 2012, since then she has successfully managed multiple rooms including Nursery and Pre Kinder room and held the position as Education Leader here at the Ormond campus. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed mentoring and managing a team through demonstration, positive feedback and encouragement and thrives in a team environment. Constance is passionate about making sure all children feel included and have a sense of being and belonging whilst here at Elles Belles, she looks forward to meeting you all and building strong relationships with the children and families of the Ormond campus.

• Willow - 6wks to 12mths
• Banksia - 12mths to 2yrs
• Acacia - 2yrs to 3yrs
• Jacaranda - 3yrs to 4yrs
• Kindergarten - 4yrs to 5yrs

Greek lessons:

At Elles Belles, together we will be learning about the Greek culture and language, using a variety of planned experiences.

This includes learning about basic greetings, numbers and colours, just to name a few.

Our Greek lessons are held by our Co- owner, Jimmy, on a weekly basis, to ensure the learning is effective and consistent throughout the children’s programming.

Cooking classes:

Cooking classes are hands on! They teach children about measuring, stirring, pouring and assist in developing early science and mathematical concepts. To promote health and nutrition, the organic fruit and vegetable garden is used in conjunction with these experiences- teaching children the cycle of life. The best part is the sense of achievement children get when they eat their delicious creations.

Fitness and movement:

The Elles Belles Ormond campus has a fitness and movement program that enables children to take considered risks in their play within both indoor and outdoor environments. It is a fun and enthusiastic extracurricular activity that promotes children’s gross motor skills and social interactions through laughter and team experiences. A variety of music and movement opportunities are incorporated, enabling children to develop conscious awareness of their body positioning and explore a range of motions, flexibility, strength and coordination.

Art Lessons:

Through the creative art studio, children learn through a Reggio Emilia inspired environment. Open ended art lessons are conducted, promoting children’s imagination and creativity through expression of art.

Educators believe children are the founders of their own learning and are encouraged to construct their own learning through play and creativity, which is a respected pathway of learning.

The Elles Belles Early Learning Curriculum is built upon 4 essential pillars:

1. The Whole (Holistic) Child: Children are naturally curious beings, filled with wonder. The team understands that by fostering children’s individualism, they are equipping them to build their confidence and social skills.
2. The Natural Environment: the educators focus on creating activities and organic play spaces for the children to independently or collaboratively explore and wonder. They teach the children about living things as this helps them develop empathy and understanding for the natural environment.
3. The Scaffolding Elles Belles Early Learning Educators: the centre’s highly experienced educators play an imperative role as scaffolders; teaching the children to think for themselves, share ideas and learn with guidance rather than force.
4. Identity Psychology (Real World & Purpose): the team gives the children opportunities to develop their knowledge of the world they live in, in terms of the cultural and social aspects of their own families and communities.

Our commercial kitchen, run by our fully qualified chef, provides a nutritionally balanced breakfast, lunch, progressive morning tea, afternoon tea, and a late-night snack. The Ormond campus features a spacious dining room with a large built-in servery and fish tank for your children. This campus also boasts an interactive fruit and vegetable garden, giving the chef and children access to organic produce for their meals and to further their learning.

Jess- Chef

I am Jess, born and raised in Colombia, where I studied culinary arts and French patisserie. I worked in many restaurants and, eventually, I opened one of my own. During this time, I got interested in many different aspects of food, such as food waste, sustainability, and food security. Led by these interests, I came to Australia in 2020 to study a Bachelor of Food Studies at William Angliss Institute. This study gave me a broader understanding of food complementing my experiences in the hospitality industry for more than ten years.

When I am not cooking, I like to spend time with my partner by visiting restaurants or exploring new places. In addition, running has become my newest hobby, very serious now; I am training for a marathon at the end of September.

Nowadays, I have stepped aside from the hospitality sector by coming here and cooking for the little ones. I hope to reflect my love for food in the food I make for them by bringing delicious and nutritious food to them.