Giraffe Early Learning Centre - Docklands

• Language program: children learn different languages from native speakers.

• Cooking program: children enjoy cooking experiences every week with the educators in each room.

• Incursions: special guests come to the centre, such as animal experiences, Healthy Harold and Indigenous education experiences.

• Library and discovery programs: the indoor garden space lends itself to themed sessions on topics such as dinosaurs, culture, science and space.

The centre offers care across four main age groups. Children transition through the rooms based on their development and consultation with each family.

1. Nursery: 6 weeks – 2 years
2. Toddler: 2 years – 3 years
3. Three year old kindergarten: 3 years – 4 years
4. Four year old kindergarten: 4 years – school age

The centre prides itself on offering consistency of leadership and educators. Many of the educators have been with the centre since they opened.  

The centre is proud to promote the bilingual educators who can speak a child’s home language. Languages include Chinese Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Telegu.

Educators speak with parents at pick up time to share stories or photos about the day, rather than using technology.

I have a passion for the early childhood education sector for a variety of reasons, the main one being the children.

I get to come to work every day where I can shape, influence and instil a love for learning to our future generations.

Apryl Littlewood, Centre Manager, Giraffe Early Learning Centre Docklands

I love working at Giraffe because we have a wonderful, dedicated team of educators who scaffold and support children's learning and development. We provide enriching learning environments for children to explore and express their ideas.

Panya - Educator

The fully trained inhouse chef prepares all meals and snacks from scratch using fresh ingredients. With a varied seasonal menu based on the guidelines from Food Australia, the food is designed to encourage children to try new flavours. 

Children enjoy weekly cooking demonstrations with the educators, and they make the most of the opportunity to talk with the children about healthy eating and nutrition. Much time is spent discussing the sensory element of healthy food.

The children take part in progressive mealtimes so that they can eat when they are ready. They learn self-help skills such as serving themselves and others, cleaning up and washing up together.