We would like to welcome you to Grays Point Early Learning Centre (GPELC). 
 
GPELC has been operating for over 20 years and is now Under New Management in 2011.  We are now able to combine "fresh and new ideas" with the "trusted and existing methods" to provide you with a high standard of childcare.  We are community focused and our centre is involved with local (and surrounding) primary schools and we will sponsor the Grays Point Junior soccer team in 2011.
 
We would like you to visit our centre as GPELC has the following unique features:

• large and open outdoor playgrounds to allow children the freedom to explore and play in the bush setting which also has an abundance of natural wildlife
• long standing staff with more than half of our existing staff members having in excess of 10 years service
• a family feel with four (4) of our staff members being a "mother and daughter" and a "mother and son" combination
• we currently look after the grandchildren of our some of the original parents whom attended our centre      
• on site cook with freshly prepared meals each day & a rotating menu
• we currently have Vacation Care available and will be re-introducing Before & After School Care in the later half of 2011

GPELC is fully licensed by the New South Wales Department of Community Services, catering for children ranging in age from 0-6 years, between the hours of 7.30a.m. - 6.00pm Monday to Friday.

Our Centre is a caring and nurturing centre with experienced and caring staff, who will guide your children through their first steps on the educational ladder.

The Centre is divided into 3 sections, each self-contained and age specific, providing full care and facilities.

The centre is made up of a Director/Authorised Supervisor, trained teaching staff (who hold either Bachelor/Diploma in Early Childhood-3/4 year university trained, Diploma of Children's Services or Certificate III in Children's Services or equivalent, untrained teaching assistances (soon to study Certificate III in Children's Services) are all working together with specific age groups to provide the most professional, caring and nurturing care for your children.

Our Nursery caters for children ranging in age from 0-2 years. The Nursery is fully equipped with cot rooms, baby change/ bottle preparation rooms, crawler's area, dining and craft areas as well as their own outdoor play areas. There is (1) one staff member allocated for the care and nurturing of each group of (4) four children under the age of (2) two years.

Our Toddlers room caters specifically for the 2-3 year old children,  who, are broken up into class groups of no more than (5) five children.  There is one staff members allocated for each group of (5) five children, who are responsible for the implementation of the teaching programme, and the health and well being of the children in their care. Each group is self contained with age appropriate equipment and teaching curriculum

Our Preschool room caters for children ranging in age from 3-6 years, who are broken up into groups of no more than (10) ten children.   There is (1) one staff member allocated for each group of (10) ten children in the Pre-school, who are responsible for the implementation of the teaching programme and the health and well being of the children in their care.  Each group is self contained with age appropriate equipment and teaching curriculum. We also provide a Readiness for School programme for 4 - 5 year old children, which, is designed to prepare your child for entry into the normal school environment.

Our aim is to encourage a strong association between the family and the Centre, by maintaining a ?home like atmosphere, almost an extended family, allowing your child a smooth transition into the Centre.

We welcome all enquiries and look forward to showing your our centre.

The Centre programme has been developed taking into consideration the individual developmental needs of each specific age group. 

Age specific programmes are developed based on individual observations of the children, taking into consideration their skill levels, personality and maturity.   From these observations, our staff are better able to develop a more comprehensive age appropriate teaching programme aimed at assisting the children to develop their independence through play, experimentation and exploration.  Incorporated in the daily programmes are a variety of activities designed to stimulate and educate i.e.

Group Time:    This is an important time in the educational day, when the class divides into either large or small groups, at which time they are better able to share their learning experiences through the appreciation of music, stories, games and activities.   Sharing group experiences helps each child to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Story Time:    The appreciation of books is one of the most important tools we can give a child.  Through the sharing of stories, they can better understand the world in which they live.   Books and stories make the world and experience more accessible to us.

Music:    Music appreciation is fundamental to our learning experiences.  It assists children to learning to listen, and to respond to the various emotions, which can be expressed through music.

Dramatic Play:   Dramatic play, helps to develop a child’s imagination.  Through imagination, anything is possible.  “Make believe” opens up “Worlds” never before accessible.   Dramatic play encourages interaction with ones peers, and fostering co-operation and sharing.

Art and Craft:    A child’s, creativity is expressed in many ways, but no more so than through “Art”.  Through the variety of experienced offered your child is better able to express themselves through different mediums using collage, painting, and drawing.

Sand Pit:   Because children enjoy tactile experiences the sand pit is an important resource in which children can experiment with texture and shape.  Children are permitted to play freely in the sand pits, which become a time for socialization and interaction with their peers.
 
Water Play:   Water offers children an opportunity to experience different sensations, and tactile experiences.   We encourage free play, allowing children shared experiences, and the freedom to paddle, splash, play and even get wet.

Outdoor Play:   Outdoor activities are an invaluable part of the Centre curriculum and our daily programme. Children have access to the outdoor area at least twice each day, but only under the supervision of staff.
Various activities are provided which include, games as well as specific equipment designed to assist in the development of each child’s gross motor and fine motor skills. Children are encouraged to run, jump and skip, in an effort to better develop their overall physical condition.

With the overall development of the body, comes a sense of well being, and an understanding of space and time, and the consequences of an action. Through hand, eye coordination, and a sense of rhythm comes a greater development of the fine motor skills, which contribute to our ability to write, manipulate objects, and coordinate our bodies.

Puzzles and Blocks:   The development of manipulative skills in essential to the overall development of a child.  Hand eye coordination, and the ability to recognize and determine size and shape is essential for the development of the child’s reading and writing skills.   Through the use of puzzles and blocks, we encourage children to use their manipulative and reasoning skills, in a fun and stimulating way.

Copies of the relevant daily programmes are displayed in each area and incorporate indoor and outdoor activities, lesson plans and times as well as rest and meal times.  Parents are free to discuss any aspect of the teaching programme with their child’s class teacher, at a mutual convenient time.