My daughter started full-time at Port Melbourne when she was six-months old. The team has played a key role in her development, her social and emotional intelligence skills, in addition to her general awareness of numbers, colours, shapes and language. We have been delighted with the brilliant team.

Parent

We feel so fortunate that our child attends a centre with such caring, dedicated, creative, responsive and inclusive Educators. Our child thrives brilliantly in the gorgeous, nurturing environment, and we feel like we're a part of the community they've gone to enormous efforts to cultivate. It's a very special place, and one of the most important relationships for our family.

Parent 

The staff always go above and beyond the call of duty and my son was lucky to have the opportunity to attend the centre. You have surrounded yourself with a wonderful group of Educators and that is why your centre is  so successful.

Parent 

Our vision is to develop a stimulating environment and a culture of continuous learning for both children and our team of dedicated educators. Our mission is to raise the bar of early childhood education by ensuring all centres provide exceptional quality care and education.

At Astra Early Learning Port Melbourne, the children enjoy additional programs with specialist teachers coming into the centre as part of the daily fee. Some of the programs include: 

• Music and movement

• Sport 

• Art 

• Science / STEM  

• Bush & beach kinder

• School readiness program

• Languages such as French, Italian and Spanish

• Mindfulness, yoga and wellbeing

• Cooking

The curriculum at Astra Early Learning Port Melbourne is underpinned by the National Early Years Learning Framework and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. The Reggio Emilia Approach views young children as curious about the world around them and as capable and confident individuals. 

There are four light filled classrooms and separate sleep rooms for the younger children to rest throughout the day. The natural outdoor playspaces allow children to connect with nature, play with water and sand, climb on rocks, tree stumps and tyres, grow plants for smelling and tasting, observe insects, animals and birds, nurture and observe worm farms and compost areas, hide away in a teepee and much much more. 

The children are cared for in the following rooms: 

Ocean Room: nursery 

The educators encourage strong relationships with the children through positive interactions and safe environments. Children will be cherished and supported to be their best selves. An indoor, outdoor program ensures children get maximum outdoor time and encourages physical development, mental wellbeing, and health. Daily mindfulness will set the tone for developing emotional regulation and encouraging relaxation for children throughout the day.  

The children take part in activities with a strong emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and the arts such as music, creative arts and drama. Indigenous culture is embedded into the program and children are encouraged to bring their home culture into the centre too. 

Harbour Room: toddlers

For the toddlers, routines are an important opportunity for learning. Performing daily, predictable tasks while having fun is a chance for young Kookas to build their self-confidence, communication and social skills and the ability to develop their self-control.

Each day’s rhythmic routine assists the children to transition between activities. The educators believe that if children can anticipate the next part of their day, they can participate at their best. There are natural, sensory rich play spaces with natural materials, water play and a natural garden with large trees for this young age to explore. The activities are designed for children to develop their self identity, awareness, physical strength and hand eye coordination.

Each week, specialist teachers run classes for the children to enhance the learning programs as well as take part in routine outings into the local community.

Island Room: 3 years - 4 years

This room offers children a mix of indoor and outdoor play.  Research shows that children engaged in quality play-based experiences are more likely to have well-developed memory skills, language development and can regulate their behaviour, supporting the transition to school and academic learning later on in life.

The curriculum is driven by a project and investigation approach to learning where the children’s ideas, interests, theories and voices are heard and explored. 

The goal is to assist children in their growth and development, by participating in group time focused on the current project and investigation, maths, literacy, Italian, STEM, drama and culture.  They also work with the specialist teachers  that run classes for the children, as well as taking part in routine outings into the local community.

Marine Room: 4 years - 5 years

This room is for the children who will be preparing to go to school the following year. The programs are all about a guided choice for children, following a Reggio Emilia approach.

Through the daily curriculum, children are provided with plenty of learning experiences ensuring that they have opportunities to participate in teacher initiated and play-based activities that are responsive to their needs, interests, and choices. This includes STEM, literacy, drama, Spanish, creative arts, gardening and outdoor play.

Literacy,  phonics and numeracy programs give children the chance to develop fundamental skills before they head off to school. They enjoy the visits from the specialist teachers who come and run classes to enhance the learning programs,  as well as take part in routine outings into the local community.

I will enter the classroom everyday with only the highest of expectations for each child, always bringing in not only my dedication and perseverance but also a positive attitude and an open mind. I believe that teaching is a lifelong process where teachers learn new ideas, new strategies, new methodologies and new philosophies. Over time people change, the world changes and my educational philosophy may change as well, and that's okay… that just means that I have grown and learned new things too!

Amanda - Educator 

My philosophy has been formed over the last 10 years. I believe children have the right to learn and explore through play in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. I believe that learning can happen anywhere and at any time. I strongly value and respect children’s cultural and religious backgrounds and believe all children should be treated equally.

​Gia - Educator 

I strongly believe that during childhood we create memories that we will keep with us forever. My aim is making these memories unforgettable, that they evoke an emotion of happiness. Every smile will be a token, and every tear will be an experience to grow from.

Ludovica - Educator ​

At Astra Early Learning Port Melbourne, the children are provided with fresh, nutritious and creative meals that expose them to the broadest range of flavours, textures, ingredients and cultures.

The centre’s off-site chef uses high-quality, fresh ingredients and a broad range of flavours to create meals that meet and exceed the latest nutritional guidelines for children in care. The menus also offer a wide selection of fresh fruit and raw vegetables with morning and afternoon tea, as well as steamed, fresh vegetables at lunchtime. As an allergy aware centre, the educators are equipped to accommodate any dietary requirement.