We are offering 3-Year-Old Preschool - 2 years are better than 1!

We are proud partners of the south Australia Governments 3-year-old preschool program, giving children a flying start in learning and in life. This initiative is part of the government’s broader investment in quality early childhood education, aiming to provide more children with access to teacher-led, play-based learning during the critical years before school.
If your child is enrolled in our service and turning 3 in 2027, they may be able to access up to 15 hours per week of this new 3-year-old preschool program, depending on need and availability.

4-year-old Preschool Program
Our centre also offers the South Australian Government-approved 4-year-old Preschool Program, providing subsidy up to 15 hours per week for 40 weeks per year for 4-year-old children. Your child will benefit from our enhanced learning program in Preschool, combined with our play-based learning approach, supporting their development and school readiness.

Our Enhanced Learning Program for Kindergarten 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 programs are delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers committed to supporting your child’s individual development.

Additional Benefits Include:
• Government subsidy: Funded Preschool program, 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 Deanna, and I am the Centre Manager here at Welly Road Early Learning Centre. I truly love being able to guide children as they grow, learn and discover the world around them.

I began my early childhood education journey in 2017 and have been a part of the team here at Welly Road since 2019. Teaching young children is not just a job for me – it’s a privilege. I truly love being able to guide children as they grow, learn and discover the world around them. There’s something incredibly rewarding about witnessing their development and knowing you’ve played a role in shaping their confidence, curiosity and sense of self.

Throughout my career, I’ve learnt the value of high-quality programming and inclusive, respectful practices. I’m passionate about embracing diversity and understanding the many different developmental stages children move through. This knowledge shapes my teaching style and leadership – ensuring we offer meaningful, supportive experiences tailored to each child.

Early learning centres offer much more than education. They create a foundation for lifelong skills. Our programs give children the chance to form social bonds, express emotions, explore interests and meet important developmental milestones, all in a nurturing and engaging environment.

At Welly Road ELC, I work alongside a dedicated, child-focused team who always prioritise safety, wellbeing and learning. We collaborate closely to create a centre culture that supports every child to thrive. I also place great importance on building strong relationships with families – connecting with them each day through open conversations, sharing updates about their children and gathering insights from home life to better support learning and development at the centre. These partnerships are the key to helping each child flourish.

I look forward to welcoming your family to our Mount Barker early education centre.