pre school/kindy 3-5 years
Unley Early Learning Centre – Pre School & Kindy 3 -5 Years
In our Pre-school / Kindy room, children aged approximately 3 to 5 years embark on their final stage of early learning before school. At Unley Early Learning we provide a rich, play-based program designed to foster independence, confidence and a love of learning. This is a time of tremendous growth — socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically — and our dedicated educators are here to guide each child’s individual journey.
Our Approach
Our curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), ensuring we support each child’s development across key areas: identity, community, wellbeing, learning and communication. Educators plan with flexibility to follow children’s interests, scaffold new learning and encourage children to reflect and revisit ideas in deeper ways.
Educators & Environment
Your child is supported by a qualified team of educators who specialise in the early years, with a warm, respectful and responsive attitude.
We provide a vibrant, well-resourced indoor and outdoor environment, designed to challenge and engage 3–5 year-olds: from dramatic play spaces, literacy/numeracy corners, STEM investigations, art & sensory zones, to natural outdoor exploration areas.
We strive to create strong partnerships with families: regular sharing of learning stories and reflections, open-ended conversations about your child’s growth, and collaboration in planning transitions to school.
✓ Daily opportunities for cooperative play, group projects and independent discovery. Children are invited to experiment, create, and learn at their own pace while working alongside friends
✓ A stimulating environment where children can explore literacy, numeracy, problem-solving and creative thinking in meaningful and fun ways.
✓ Strong focus on social and emotional development: children learn to express ideas, negotiate with peers, make decisions, and develop resilience.
✓ Outdoor learning and exploration in our garden and play spaces — learning through movement, nature, and real-world experiences.
✓ Community connections (such as with local retirement villages and the library), and a growing sense of belonging in the wider community.
✓ School-readiness preparation: children are gradually introduced to routines, independence skills, confidence in self-care, and becoming learners who ask questions, make choices and engage actively.
Transition to School
We understand the excitement and significance of the move to school. During the Pre-school / Kindy years we work closely with nearby Unley Kindergarten, and engage in transition programs, school-readiness check-lists, sharing of portfolios and events that help children and families feel confident, prepared and positive about the next step.
Your Child’s Journey
We believe that children flourish when they feel safe, supported and connected. In the 3–5 year stage:
They build stronger friendships, become more confident in expressing themselves, and discover themselves as capable learners.
They begin to ask questions, explore big ideas, test out theories, and see themselves as contributors to their classroom and community.
They gain foundational skills for lifelong learning — for example curiosity, persistence, collaborative thinking, and a sense of agency.