I am Anitha Arul, the Centre Director of St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care. With 19 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, my journey has been a transformative one, beginning as a primary school teacher in India and leading me to acquire an Australian Diploma in Children’s Services and a Bachelor of Teaching (0-5) from Australia.

At the core of my educational philosophy is a profound respect for play-based learning. I firmly believe, as Fred Rogers beautifully put it, that "Play gives children a chance to practise what they are learning.” This sentiment drives our ethos at St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care, where we champion play-based teaching, aiming to offer not just high-quality care but an education that is holistic, encompassing all domains of a child's learning.

Our commitment to your child is unwavering. We strive for excellence, ensuring affordability and flexibility in the enriching education and care we provide. Our dedicated team of professionals shares a unified vision - to educate, care for, and nurture your child’s growth and holistic development.

In our vibrant and stimulating environment, children are encouraged to explore, discover, imagine, and problem-solve, paving their way to resilience and a bright future. I warmly invite you, your children, and extended family to be a part of the St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care community. Entrusting us with a role in your child's life is an honour.

At St Therese Preschool and Long Day Care, our approach to learning is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, viewing each child as an innately curious and capable learner. 

Our learning environments, often referred to as the 'third teacher,' are carefully crafted to spark exploration and creativity while our educators act as facilitators and co-learners. 

Driven by the children's own passions and interests, our approach celebrates the diverse ways that children learn and express themselves. 

Learning is holistic, focused on children's complete development, integrating their physical, social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth.

We believe in collaborative project-based learning, integrating the insights of children, families, and educators to create an enriching and responsive educational journey that is tailored to each individual child.

Upon entering our Sadleir childcare service, you're immersed in a realm of childhood wonder and exploration. Our service showcases three welcoming classrooms, ensuring intimate class sizes and a tailored learning experience.

Each classroom is a treasure trove of resources, seamlessly integrated with nature, and meticulously crafted to engage and nurture children across different age groups.
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In every room, distinct learning stations reflect children’s interests with a focus on literacy, numeracy, art, construction, dramatic play, sustainability, STEAM, and more.

These spaces reflect our deep commitment to honouring each child's sense of belonging, interests, family ties, and cultural background.

Beyond the classroom, our Sadleir-Miller childcare centre offers lush gardens enriched with native plants, a sandpit, mud kitchen, water play, mud play area, picnic tables, art stations, outdoor reading nook, climbing equipment, soft mats, construction activities, and a range of sports equipment.

Our outdoor environment is set up daily with engaging activities and resources to foster the development of gross motor skills, encourage exploration, and extend children's interests beyond the classroom.

Children also participate in daily Munch and Move activities and planned sport to develop fundamental movement skills.

Toddler Program

Our Sadleir Toddler Program for children aged two to three is thoughtfully designed with a focus on interactive learning experiences that encourage exploration, hands-on play, and self-expression. 

Educators attentively listen to and observe the children, using their interests as a springboard for meaningful projects and activities. 

Through group learning experiences, open-ended play, discovery and exploration, interest-based projects, art and craft, dramatic play, and responsive relationships, toddlers are empowered to communicate, connect, and discover the world around them, fostering a deep-rooted love for learning. 

Key Learning Areas Include: 

Identity: We nurture children's sense of identity by encouraging their interests, fostering independence, supporting resilience, building connections, encouraging exploration, and enhancing self-esteem and belonging.

Connection: Children learn about their connection and contribution by exploring diversity, culture, sustainability, community, and the principles of fairness, taking turns, group projects, and shared play.

Wellbeing: We promote children's physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing through daily movement, games and sports, learning about nutrition, the body, and healthy habits, learning about emotions, mindfulness, and the Munch and Move Program.

Learning: We provide engaging learning experiences through play, interest projects, and intentional teaching that foster problem-solving, fine and gross motor skills, resilience, creativity, concentration, and foundational academic skills.

Communication: We support the development of communication and pro-social skills through storytelling, music and movement, child-centred learning, early literacy activities, asking questions, group time, creativity, and self-expression.

Preschool and School Readiness Program

Our Sadleir Preschool and School Readiness Program for children aged three to six provides children with dynamic learning experiences that fuel children’s curiosity, sense of wonder, inquiry, and problem-solving skills. 

Our educators, acting as guides and collaborators, take cues from each child's unique interests, weaving them into engaging projects and activities that nurture both creativity and foundational academic skills. 

Through interest-driven exploration, individual and group projects, art, construction, and peer interactions, our preschool children are nurtured to become confident, inquisitive, and prepared learners who are ready to thrive in Primary School. 

‍Key Learning Areas Include: 

Identity: We nurture children's sense of identity by encouraging their interests and self-expression, fostering independence, supporting resilience, building connections, encouraging exploration, and enhancing self-esteem and belonging.

Connection: Children learn about their connection, contribution, and impact by exploring diversity, culture, sustainability, community, and the principles of fairness, taking turns, group projects, and shared play.

Wellbeing: We cultivate positive attitudes towards health, wellbeing, and nutrition through daily movement, healthy habits, mindfulness exercises, bodily awareness, emotional learning, and the Munch and Move Program.

Learning: We provide engaging learning experiences through open-ended play, interest projects, experiments, and intentional teaching that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, resilience, creativity, concentration, and foundational academic skills.

Communication: We support the development of communication and pro-social skills through early literacy activities, storytelling, group activities, music and movement, child-directed learning, asking questions, group time, show and tell, and self-expression.