Our centre offers the NSW Government-approved "Start Strong" Preschool Program, providing 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 Ellie, and I am the Centre Manager here at West Ryde Early Learning Centre. I started working in early learning in 2008. I joined the team at West Ryde Early Learning Centre in 2024. I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and I am currently studying my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth - 5years).

From an early age I had a burning passion for early childhood education and care. Entering the industry straight out of high school I never looked back. Throughout my career I have adopted a holistic approach that values and respects the uniqueness and individualism of each child. A moto I hold close to my heart is that “today's children are tomorrows leaders”.

I view each child as capable and resourceful. Provided with optimal learning conditions, there are endless opportunities for their growth and development. I believe through a play-based approach, children can resource their own learning and make sense of the world around them. Our role as educators is to ensure we are attuned to each child's individual strengths, interests, and emerging skills. We set up provocations that promote children's natural instincts to be curious, inquire and learn.

Early childhood education services are purpose-built facilities that are designed to ensure children are afforded optimal opportunities to engage in educational programs. The well-trained educators who work alongside children each day have a passion to support children's growth and development. The Early Years Learning Framework guides educators’ practices and they have been devised to ensure that during a child's critical period of brain development (birth-5years) that scaffolding and supporting education and learning is at the forefront of every educator's daily practice. 

At West Ryde Early Learning Centre, we have a diverse team of experienced and qualified educators, some of whom have been part of our family for more than 10 years. We are lucky to have 3 Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teachers who support the educational programs in our service. Our team are all committed and dedicated to working with children and pride themselves on their relationships with the children and families within our service.  

I develop strong relationships with my families by prioritising time to engage in open, honest lines of communication with them on a regular basis. I believe in the power of face-to-face conversations. I make sure any areas of concern are addressed promptly and efficiently to ensure all families feel valued and respected within our service.