The Early Childhood Experience at Genazzano
During early childhood, children experience more rapid brain development and acquire more skills and knowledge than in any other period of their lives. They are engaged in rich and meaningful experiences and learn through their ability to touch, manipulate and experiment; by being actively involved with materials, new ideas and through interactions with others.
Our ELC is a place of wonder, where children can be observed deeply engaged in learning that stimulates, challenges and provokes their thinking, curiosity and inquiring minds. The valued partnership with families and our ELC team supports each child to gain a greater understanding of themselves and their world, becoming competent, compassionate and community-minded young citizens.
Young children develop skills that enable them to be creative and resilient thinkers
Children who belong to the ELC at Genazzano are welcomed into a learning community that:
- Builds secure, trusting relationships with every child
- Recognises the importance of listening to children
- Values reflection for a balanced life
- Captures the heart of play and learning
- Uncovers the creativity in each child.
Keeping Our Children Safe
As a Catholic school in the FCJ tradition, we have a mission-driven, moral and legal responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for children and young people and to protect them from all forms of abuse and neglect. We are steadfast in our resolve to honour this responsibility and promote the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and young people.
The Program
Our ELC provides choice for families, while considering the benefits for children, that reinforces the acquisition of skills for life and learning. You may select for your child to attend three, four or five days for both our Kinder and Pre-Prep programs. Before and after school care is also available.
Genazzano FCJ College is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) candidate school.* Our early years curriculum at Genazzano is guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and the PYP Curriculum Framework. Our educational program inspires our learners to inquire, learn and play in experiences that promote innovative, knowledgeable, creative, and globally minded thinkers.
Our dynamic inquiry-based programs provide a balance of child led play-based learning, guided play, and teacher led instructional learning. The learning environment and curriculum is designed around the individual strengths, interests and needs of each child, whilst viewing the group as a whole community. We know children learn best in an environment in which they have strong relationships with their teachers and there is a combination of predictability and new challenge. The ELC program follows a daily schedule and routine that offers a balance between the following types of activities:
- Active and quiet times
- Large and small group activities, time to play alone and with others
- Relaxed informal gatherings and formal group times
- Indoor and outdoor program times
- Time for children to select their own activities and time for teacher-directed activities.
Our educational experiences are enhanced by a range of specialist programs. These include:
- Languages
- Library
- Music
- Creative Arts.
*Only schools authorised by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorisation will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.
Entry Requirements
The Early Learning Centre is co-educational and accepts both boys and girls. Your child must be 3 years of age on or before 30 April to be eligible to attend in that year. If you enrol early, your child’s place will be held until they turn 3 years old and fees will only apply once they can start attending. If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, your child can begin kindergarten in the year they turn 3 or 4.
Progression to the Pre- Prep program in the ELC and Prep will be based on the College Enrolment Policy and then on the date of initial application for the kindergarten program. Preference is given to those who intend continuing their child’s education at Genazzano.
The Victorian Government introduced its Vaccination legislation commonly known as ‘no jab, no play’, effective as of 1 January 2016. This legal requirement means that no child will be admitted to a childcare, pre-school or kindergarten without having been vaccinated. An updated copy of your child’s immunisation is to be included with the enrolment application and any updated certificate provided again at the time of a request for enrolment interview.
Useful Links
Genazzano’s Five Points of Difference
At the Genazzano ELC, we recognise that excellence in early education and learning is transformative. This is what we continue to create in the ELC and defines our differences.
One
At Genazzano, we value each child for who they are. This is especially important in the Early Learning Centre where it is fundamental to us that every child experiences nurturing and caring relationships. We welcome the differences in interests, development, personality and ability that every child brings and we respect that families and parenting styles are as different as each child. Our approach, supported by the FCJ framework, enables us to know and understand each child.
Two
The Early Learning Centre at Genazzano promotes imagination and curiosity through tinkering and Loose Parts Play. When you allow a child to take something apart, it nourishes their interest with feelings of confidence and discovery. Tinkering teaches children valuable lessons by helping develop fine motor skills, problem solving abilities and peer relationships. Our educators construct purposeful learning situations that encourage each child to explore hands on and real-life learning.
Three
Our ELC to Year 12 GenSTAR Program supports every aspect of a child’s development including learning, school readiness and cognitive and language development. Our qualified team of psychologists support children to learn how to manage opportunities and challenges and build their coping skills to support their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing now and into the future.
Four
Our ELC children build a sense of belonging to the larger Genazzano FCJ College Community. Our children engage in an ‘out and about’ program in our beautiful grounds that builds their connection, knowledge and readiness for school. The children develop authentic and genuine connections and relationships with the other Genazzano students and teachers.
- We offer a weekly Prep transition program during Terms Three and Four.
- The ELC regularly participates in whole College Community events and performances.
- A weekly volunteering program provides an opportunity for a small group of secondary students to join the ELC children in their classroom.
Five
We empower children through a thoughtful and intentional approach that encourages them to contribute and participate. When they experience their opinion or choice being honoured it has a major impact on their learning, as they see themselves as someone who’s views and opinions matter.