Our centre offers the NSW Government-approved "Start Strong" Preschool Program , providing access of 600 hours of quality preschool education annually for children aged 3–5 years . This program includes fee relief funding to make early childhood education more affordable for families.

Our Enhanced Learning Program for Preschool children focuses on:

• Numeracy & Literacy: Developing key skills for lifelong learning.
• Self-Regulation: Fostering emotional control and resilience.
• Social & Emotional Development: Supporting independence and building healthy relationships.
• Creativity & Problem-Solving: Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

With extended hours and a year-round program (excluding public holidays), our Preschool program is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers committed to supporting your child’s individual development.

Additional Benefits Include:

• Government subsidy: Further reduces out-of-pocket Preschool fees in addition to your eligible Childcare Subsidy (CCS).
• Personalised Learning Plans: Tailored to your child’s unique needs.
• Rhythm and Resilience Program: Music and movement to improve emotional regulation.
• School Readiness: Preparing your child for a smooth transition to school.

We also engage with local schools and provide transition statements, ensuring your child feels confident and prepared for the next steps in their education journey. Stay connected with your child’s progress via our Xplor platform, which offers regular updates on their learning and development.

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, director and the actor in their own play” - Magda Gerber

Nursery Space: 6 weeks – 2 years

Learning starts from before birth, and our Educators have created a welcoming and nurturing nursery environment where each baby feels safe to explore and discover new things - through their senses, their communication and cues (body language, facial expression and sounds) and through experimentation. On any given day you can see the nursery children engaging in all types of play including sensory play, music time, story time and more. Every day provides a brand new, exciting adventure for our babies to support their development, learning and wellbeing.

Toddler Space: 2 - 3 years

Our teachers and educators encourage the children to learn through play to help enhance their sensory-motor development. This happens through carefully planned music, dance, games, role playing and reading experiences.

On any given day the Toddlers can be seen developing their numeracy by building a tower, sorting objects, pointing and identifying shapes and patterns and participating in counting songs and games.

Children in our toddler space are encouraged to participate in group play. Group play is important as it helps our toddlers develop important social skills such as, turn-taking, developing self-confidence and emotional self-regulation. Our skilled team helps children through talking, planning and role modelling.

Preschool Space: 3 – 6 years

Preschool is a unique time for learning with peers and developing skills for later learning including confidence and curiosity, important skills for starting school. Our play-based program has school readiness at its core, encouraging active engagement in learning and supporting a range of positive developmental outcomes including resilience, independence, critical thinking and creativity.

The oral language supports literacy learning and a child’s oral language ability is the best predictor for later success in learning to read and write. Hearing the sounds within a language is the first critical step for all literacy learning. Our team supports our Preschool children's literacy development by engaging in rich discussions, reading, storytelling, dramatic play and experimentation all of which introduce new vocabulary as part of everyday conversations.

Throughout the Preschool year, children use their language to share ideas, ask questions, express themselves, and connect with peers and adults in social settings.

Social-emotional skills, including the ability to self-regulate emotions, are supported through group learning experiences. Our team supports each child’s social and emotional development by labelling and talking about emotions and supporting appropriate responses as together, they engage in new and challenging situations. Our goal in the Preschool year is to prepare children and families for a smooth transition to primary school.

Our centre chef prepares and cooks nutritious meals daily, catering to the unique dietary requirements of every child. We believe that by encouraging active participation (such as growing their own fruit and vegetables, preparing, and finally cooking!) children learn to appreciate and understand the importance of healthy eating across a wide variety of food.

Our centre offers seasonal whole food-based menus – created to delight the fussiest eaters.

Hi, my name is Lorraine, and I am the Centre Manager here at First Grammar Lithgow. My teaching style is built on strong, responsive relationships and meaningful interactions that encourage children to express themselves, make choices and take ownership of their learning. 

I began working in early childhood education in 2015 and joined the First Grammar Lithgow team in 2025. I was inspired to enter this field when my own children started in care. I realised I had a genuine desire to make a positive difference not only for them but for all children in my community. That decision sparked a lasting passion for creating warm, inclusive spaces where every child feels a strong sense of belonging. What I love most about this work are the everyday moments, the smiles, the milestones and the pride on a child’s face when they achieve something new. Being part of their journey and helping them feel seen, supported and celebrated continues to inspire me every single day.

Through my years in early childhood education, I have learnt that each child is a unique individual with their own strengths, interests and ways of learning. Respecting and honouring this individuality shapes everything I do. My teaching style is built on strong, responsive relationships and meaningful interactions that encourage children to express themselves, make choices and take ownership of their learning.

When speaking with families, I emphasise that children learn so much at home and our role is to build on that strong foundation. Our centre offers rich, play-based experiences guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and our core values: Safety First and Always, Thriving Together, Building Brighter Futures, Owning the Outcome and Being the Difference. These principles help us create a safe, inclusive and engaging environment where every child can thrive. I am fortunate to work with a passionate and dedicated team of educators who bring a wide range of skills and experiences to our centre. Together, we are committed to creating a warm, safe and inspiring environment for all children.

Building strong relationships with families is incredibly important to me. I take the time to get to know each family, listen to their needs and communicate openly and honestly. Whether it is through daily conversations, check-ins or sharing their child’s achievements, my goal is to ensure families feel valued, respected and confident that their child is receiving high-quality care.

I look forward to welcoming your family to our Lithgow early learning community.