Elsternwick Childcare & Kindergarten
Campus Overview
At Only About Children Elsternwick, our age groups have their own dedicated outdoor yard where children can confidently lead their own play, explore and create. We have six age-based indoor rooms. These spaces have been specifically created to encourage children in their learning and growth, with a focus on safety and natural elements.
Our Elsternwick campus was recently rated Exceeding for Staffing Arrangements in the National Quality Standards. This exceeding rating demonstrates the exceptional provision of qualified and experienced educators at Elsternwick who are able to develop warm, respectful relationships with children, create safe and predictable environments and encourage children’s active engagement in the learning program.
Children at our Elsternwick campus enjoy –
- Passionate educators and allied health specialists who are focused on creating a learning space where families and children can learn and grow together.
- A leading nutrition, health and wellbeing offering which includes a Dietitian designed seasonal menu and fresh meals prepared daily in-house by our campus cooks
- All-inclusive offering including our daily app diary updates, nappies, formula, bedding, sunscreen and more.
At Only About Children Elsternwick, we offer More Than Childcare. Our unique approach to early years learning goes beyond education to encompass the health, social development and wellbeing of every child in our care. We call it The OAC Way.
Our innovative play-based Grow Curriculum gives Nursery, Toddler and Kindergarten children the best opportunity to develop their growing minds during their early years. It includes:
- Left Brain Logic – Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) and Sustainability
- Right Brain Creativity – Music, Dramatic Play and Art
- Health and Wellbeing – Physical Activity and Nutrition
- Social Development – Trust, Respect & Relationship and Resilience & Mindfulness
Our Grow curriculum is delivered via intentional teaching in dynamic small group learning environments where children’s successes, skills and challenges are monitored on an ongoing basis.
OAC Flexi (occasional care) is available at our Elsternwick Campus. This option is for families wishing to utilise occasional or back up childcare at short notice. OAC Flexi is available in 2 sessions, full day or part day and is available for children aged 12 weeks – 5 years old.
Our Learning Spaces
Where to find us
Our campus is located at 296 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick, VIC 3185. We are situated on the west side of Glen Eira Road, just a short walk from the intersection with Orrong Road. The campus is conveniently located near a variety of local cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as Harleston Park. The nearest train station, Elsternwick Station, is just a 10-minute walk away, and several tram stops are located nearby for easy access to public transportation
Interested in learning more? The best place to start is with a tour or call us today on 138 622.
Elsternwick Nursery (6 weeks – 2 years)
At Only About Children Elsternwick Nursery, our passionate educators focus on laying a foundation for enduring curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. Our Elsternwick Nursery caters to the care and development needs of infants aged 6 weeks -2 years.
The Elsternwick Nursery focuses on safe sleep practices developed by qualified Family Health Nurses and Consultants. Our nursery is a safe and stimulating environment that encourages your child to explore and play and implements both structure and a nurturing environment with our exceptional caregiving and play routines.
Our Elsternwick Nursery Program includes:
- Age 6 weeks -2 years appropriate indoor/outdoor learning environments.
- Sleeping rooms with a focus on positive sleep practices.
- Dietitian designed baby menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Baby essentials such as nappies, cots, linen, and sunscreen.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
For more information, download the Only About Children Nursery Room Guide
Elsternwick Toddlers (2-3 years)
Our Only About Children Elsternwick campus is focused on giving your child a calm and welcoming environment that balances play, exploration, and learning. Our Toddler rooms are led by passionate educators who create play-based learning activities designed to provide toddler-aged children with nurturing experiences that encourage growth and development.
Our Toddler rooms are safe, supportive spaces that facilitate creative exploration. Each space is expertly designed to encourage younger children to explore, solve problems, create, construct and interact with peers.
Our Elsternwick Toddler program includes:
- Age 2-3 years of appropriate learning and playing environments.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
- Small group learning activities.
- Dietitian designed menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Calm sleeping and resting rooms.
For more information, download the Only About Children Toddler Room Guide
Elsternwick Kindergarten (3-5 years)
Only About Children Elsternwick Kindergarten is focused on creating quality experiences that place your child in the best position to begin school. Our nurturing kindergarten educators give special emphasis on building school-ready skills, such as Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math), Sustainability, Music, Dramatic Play and Art. We aim to make your child’s transition to school as smooth as possible by providing balanced, small group learning activities that build independence and resilience along with academic skills.
Our team of highly-skilled educators and health specialists work together to create an integrated journey that enhances your child’s learning and development. Individual learning plans are created to empower each child with skills that will help them reach their full academic and social potential.
We use the Kinder Tick at Only About Children Elsternwick because we’re an approved provider of a Victorian Government funded kindergarten program. That means our service delivers a play-based learning program, led by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Elsternwick Kindergarten program
- Provides an innovative curriculum focused on left brain logic and right brain creativity
- Includes both structured and unstructured play-based learning that considers the child’s individual interests and development
- Provides an ‘Individual Learning and Development Plan’ for every child with 6 monthly check-ins with families
- A learning focus from 9am to 3pm to prepare children for typical school hours and routine whilst providing the flexibility of long hours for social development and play
- Is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS) for childcare.
- Includes Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including complementary Vision Screening
For more information, download the Only About Children Kindergarten Room Guide
Helpful Information
Elsternwick Campus Educators
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Susie Forbes
Campus Director
Susie has been working in Early Childhood Education for 14 years. She is a strong believer that the children are capable independent learners. Through following their interests, we can support their development particularly their social and emotional capabilities. In her spare time, Susie likes to to read, do puzzles, play board games and bake.
Childcare Subsidy
For more information, visit our Childcare Subsidy Information (CCS)
Our Learning Spaces
Contact Us
- Open hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am – 6:30pm
- Phone: 138 622
- 296 Glen Eira Rd, Elstenwick, Victoria 3185
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Meet our Campus Director
Susie Forbes
Susie has been working in Early Childhood Education for 14 years. She is a strong believer that the children are capable independent learners. Through following their interests, we can support their development particularly their social and emotional capabilities. In her spare time, Susie likes to to read, do puzzles, play board games and bake.
Susie has been working in Early Childhood Education for 14 years. She is a strong believer that the children are capable independent learners. Through following their interests, we can support their development particularly their social and emotional capabilities. In her spare time, Susie likes to to read, do puzzles, play board games and bake.
Here’s what our families have to say
The kindergarten staff is very professional
Each child is treated in a very personal and special way, The centre provides food during all day, provide a lot of creative and diverse activities, giving lot of love and patience also to the parent and to the child
Everything is very organized and managed in an exceptional way
Thank you for all this years
Our kids grew up and developed in the best way we could ask for.
We appriciate you very much
It felt like a second home for us. Our children got a lot of love, support, education, and good values they using them every day.
We are very thankful for the special and individual attention you gave to each of our children !
First and foremost, Etty, the centre manager, is a fantastic person who always makes us feel at home when we drop our kids and pick them up. Etty has always communicated with us about our kids and helped us whenever we enquired.
The staff at Only About Children are absolute gems. Their genuine passion for early childhood education is palpable, and it reflects in their interactions with both children and parents. Every educator we encountered was warm, friendly, and highly skilled in engaging children at different developmental stages. They foster a sense of belonging, ensuring each child feels safe and loved, which significantly eased my concerns as a parent.
The curriculum at Only About Children is outstanding. Much thought and expertise have gone into designing age-appropriate activities that stimulate children's curiosity and promote holistic development. From arts and crafts to imaginative play, outdoor adventures, and music and movement sessions, there's a perfect blend of structured learning and free play. My child came home every day excitedly, eager to share all the new things they had learned.
Another aspect that sets Only About Children apart is its focus on nutrition. The centre provides healthy and balanced meals prepared on-site by their dedicated chefs. I was pleasantly surprised to see a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients incorporated into the menu. The commitment to nourishing growing bodies and minds is truly commendable.
The facilities at Only About Children are top-notch. The classrooms are spacious, well-organized, and filled with age-appropriate learning resources. The outdoor play areas are safe, stimulating, and thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration and physical activity. The centre’s commitment to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is highly visible, providing peace of mind to parents like me.
Communication with the centre is exceptional. Regular updates, including photos and progress reports, keep parents informed about their child's development and activities. The open-door policy encourages parental involvement, and the staff is always approachable and willing to address any concerns or questions promptly.
Lastly, the sense of community at Only About Children is remarkable. They organise regular events and gatherings that bring families together, fostering a supportive network and creating lasting friendships. The dedication to building a strong community of parents, educators, and children is truly inspiring.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Only About Children for early education. Their exceptional staff, engaging curriculum, focus on nutrition, excellent facilities, effective communication, and a strong sense of community make it the perfect place for children to thrive. My child's growth and happiness since joining Only About Children speak volumes about the centre’s commitment to providing the best early education experience. Thank you, Only About Children, for creating such a nurturing and enriching environment for our little ones!
I was so grateful to have had Niro as my mentor. I had the chance to observe and learn from her, which was an invaluable experience. She gave me opportunities to plan and implement daily activities, which allowed me to develop my skills as an early childhood teacher.
I would highly recommend Only About Children Elsternwick to other students looking for a placement.
The staff have been absolutely amazing and lovely to deal with and our daughter comes home smiling and happy everyday.
Her growth and development is always blowing us away.
We couldn’t appreciate more the level of care that is taken for our daughter and all the little ones.
It's also clean, has modern resources but also utilises recycled materials, and according to my toddlers, has really yummy food!
Very caring staff, individual attention to Children’s needs. I can’t fault the place! Highly recommend it. Friendly and down to earth.
Etty is like a mum to the kids & knows where everyone is at. She knows is aware that parents want to know how their children are doing and uses an app so we can see how much they eat, sleep, poo etc! - Also daily photos!
While we go to work it’s a huge piece of mind to know they are safe & HAPPY here!!!!
There’s been a huge leap on the development front ever since my daughter started here. We’re very glad to have found Your Place. Thanks to Etty and team for creating a great environment and taking excellent care of my little one.
I could not recommend your place early learning centre enough to you.
The rooms are bright and tidy, and they feel like they have plenty of room - even when they're filled with about a dozen toddlers roaming around.
Every time I pick her up, she's happily engaged - either with another child, an activity or a staff member. Even when I pick her up right at the end of the day, the staff always look fresh and enthusiastic, and they always sound like they're thrilled to know my daughter.
All in all, I couldn't ask for a better place to send my daughter.
My daughter has been attending for over a year and absolutely loves it.
Their facilities, activities they run are fantastic and the level of care provided has always been above our expectations.
Centre takes lead from the children and build on their curiosity rather than taking a cookie cutter approach.
They have been excellent in their communication with parents during this pandemic.
Highly recommend to all parents, especially to the new scared ones ;), like we were at the start before sending our daughter to any childcare.
Edit for update: My daughter has been at Our Place Early Learning centre for 7 months now and we LOVE it. The staff are gentle, caring and kind, my daughter talks about her favourite educator all the time at home (mid way through her gibberish) it is super sweet!
We are extremely hands on when putting our little one to sleep, I was very nervous about how nap time would go but the educators have been extremely happy to give her a cuddle when she needs it!
They are always doing fantastic activities like bathing the dolls and dinosaurs, painting, play dough etc.
The centre use the storypark app so we always get photos of our little one playing, I’m pretty sure my parents love these photos as much as I do!
They go above and beyond, I would highly recommend this centre!
The educational leader was very friendly and informative.