Orchard Early Learning Centre St Ives opened their doors in July 2020, and it really is a very special centre. Take a video tour with us, and see the cheerful chickens in the garden, a hive of lovely (stingless!) bees and the fresh produce prepared by the on-site chef (like delicious blood oranges!). Take a look at the sprawling indoor spaces set across two levels (with Pre-school and nursery spaces) that allow children to have direct access to the outdoor learning environments.
Located in the leafy suburb of St Ives, Orchard Early Learning Centre is a brand-new long day care that offers an inspired nature-based program where children spend large amounts of time outdoors. The service is architecturally designed to enable children and adults to connect with the natural world and in turn develops a strong foundation of environmental awareness and the importance of sustainability.
The curriculum is underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework with a vision for children to be competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging.
The Service is led by an experienced and warm educational team, that focus on creating meaningful relationships and learning experiences that allow children to engage thoughtfully and inquisitively with the ever-evolving world around them.
In an effort to support the needs of families Orchard ELC offers an all-inclusive experience to help make life just that little bit easier
Orchard Early Learning Centre St Ives is now taking enrolments from babies through to pre-schoolers. Take a look at our video visit below:
Watch! North Shore Mums video tour Orchard ELC, St Ives
BOOK YOUR COVID-SAFE PRIVATE TOUR
Environmentally Sustainable features:
- Solar power installation
- Large rainwater tanks throughout the outdoor areas
- Water saving devices
- Recycled construction materials and the consideration of breezeways and natural light
- Environmentally sustainable centre design
- 5-star sustainable solar panelling
Gorgeous gardens:
- Large chicken coop
- Citrus and fruit trees
- Children’s garden featuring natural stone pathways and native edible plants
- Stingless native bees and beehive
- Water play and mud kitchen
- Composting and worm farms
- Garden tee-pees with climbing edible herbs
Nutrition and Mindfulness
- Paddock to Plate nutrition with five healthy meals per day
- Creation of menu with executive chef Tawnya Bahr and dietician
- Gardening program
- Yoga and mindfulness classes
- Pre-school readiness program
- Music classes
- Weekly language lessons with their multi-cultural team
Staff training and COVID measures:
- A 3 to 1 ratio in the Infant and baby area, with ongoing training for the team
- Surface 47: PVC Antimicrobial film surface protection reducing the spread of coronavirus and illness causing bacteria
Community Connections
- Weekly gardening incursions with Sadie the Garden Lady, Wild Kids Australia and Young Yogis
- Paddock to plate chef, Tawnya Bahr
- Local school collaborations with St Ives schools to support the school readiness program
- Connection to local indigenous elders
- Support of local business purchases throughout St Ives community
The centre has a fruit orchard, planter boxes of fresh produce, herb gardens, swinging hammocks, a bee hive and sensory plantation complete with their signature tractor
Supportive framework with inclusions:
- Extended opening hours from 6:30am to 6:30pm
- Simple drop off and pick up via Woodbury Road
- All nappies, wipes, bed linen, bibs, pawpaw ointment and Sudocrem
- Discount for siblings
Essential Details: Orchard Early Learning Centre
- Address: 58 Woodbury Road, St Ives NSW 2075
- Phone: 0432 625 751
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: orchardelc.com.au
BOOK YOUR COVID-SAFE PRIVATE TOUR
