Caulfield South
Elouera Early Learning Caulfield South
Every child deserves a safe, inspiring start to their education. At Elouera Early Learning Caulfield South, we provide nurturing, high-quality early learning experiences that build confidence, spark curiosity and prepare children for a lifelong love of learning.
Phone Number
03 9191 1050
Address
279-281 North Road Caulfield South VIC 3162
hello@
eloueralearning.com.au
Hours
7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Elouera Caulfield South is a boutique 42-place early learning centre dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for children in a warm, nurturing environment.
About Elouera Caulfield South
We believe early childhood is a precious time of wonder, discovery, and growth. Children are naturally curious, capable learners who deserve environments that honour their individuality and support their development.
Play is Learning
Children learn best through hands-on exploration, creativity, and following their natural curiosity - not worksheets or formal instruction.Nature Matters
Connection with nature is essential for children's wellbeing, development, and understanding of the world around them.Relationships are Everything
Our small size enables educators to build genuine connections with each child and family. When children feel safe, seen, and valued, they thrive.Families are Partners
We work in close partnership with you, respecting your knowledge of your child and involving you in their learning journey.Quality Over Quantity
We've deliberately chosen to remain boutique to maintain our intimate, family-like atmosphere and high-quality care.
Our Philosophy
Intimate Size, Individual Attention
With only 42 children, every educator knows every child's personality, interests, learning style, and individual needs. Your child isn't lost in the crowd - they're part of our close-knit community.Genuine Care
Our educators are passionate about early childhood education and truly love what they do. This warmth and authenticity creates an environment where children feel secure, valued, and excited to come each day.Nature-Based Learning
Our strong emphasis on outdoor learning and nature-based play sets us apart. Children need time in nature - to dig in mud, splash in water, grow vegetables, and explore natural materials.Community Feel
Elouera feels like an extended family. We host regular events that bring families together, creating connections and a real sense of belonging.All-Inclusive Value
Our fees include everything - meals, nappies, sunscreen, hats, excursions, incursions, and learning resources. No hidden costs, no surprise bills.
What Makes Us Different
Our educators hold Diplomas and Bachelor degrees in Early Childhood Education and are genuinely passionate about their work. We invest significantly in professional development to ensure our team remains current with best practices.
Our Centre Manager is actively involved, collaborating closely with educators and families daily. This supportive leadership means our team feels valued and encouraged - and when our educators flourish, your children flourish too.
Our Educators
Our Gallery
At Elouera Caulfield South, our values guide everything we do - from how we interact with children and families to how we design our programs and environments.
Our Core Values
Respect
We respect children as capable, competent learners with their own ideas, interests, and ways of understanding the world. We respect families as children's first teachers and value the knowledge, cultures, and perspectives you bring. We respect our educators as professionals and create a supportive environment where they can thrive.
We create a strong sense of community and belonging. Families know each other, educators remember details about your life, and everyone feels part of the Elouera family. We celebrate diversity and create opportunities for families to come together and connect.
Community
We provide a warm, caring environment where every child feels safe, secure, and valued. We nurture children's natural curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. We nurture strong relationships between children, educators, and families that form the foundation for growth and development.
Nurture
We're committed to providing exceptional early childhood education. We follow the Early Years Learning Framework, maintain high educator-to-child ratios, invest in professional development, and continuously reflect on and improve our practice.
Excellence
We believe in being genuine in all our interactions. Our care is authentic - not institutional. Our communication is honest and transparent. Our approach to learning follows children's real interests and questions, not predetermined templates.
Authenticity
We believe childhood should be joyful. Our days are filled with laughter, wonder, discovery, and play. We celebrate successes, embrace messy play, and create an environment where children love to learn.
Joy
Our Curriculum & Programs
Play-Based Learning
We believe children learn best through play - through hands-on exploration, creativity, problem-solving, and following their natural curiosity. Our educators create rich learning environments where children's interests drive the curriculum.
We observe what captivates each child and extend their learning through carefully planned experiences that are both fun and educational, supporting development across all areas:
Identity and belonging
Connection with community
Wellbeing
Learning and thinking
Communication
One of our key differentiators is our strong emphasis on nature-based play and outdoor learning . Our beautiful outdoor spaces include mud kitchens, water play areas, playground equipment, and garden areas where children grow vegetables and herbs.
Children spend significant time outdoors each day, rain or shine, exploring, creating, and learning through hands-on experiences with natural materials. This connection with nature is essential for development and creates a foundation for environmental stewardship.
Nature-Based Learning
Programs for Each Age Group
Infant Program
Focus on secure attachments, sensory exploration, individual routines, early communication, and physical development through tummy time, crawling, and first steps.
Toddler Program
Emphasis on language development, growing independence, social play, creative expression through art and music, and physical challenges that build confidence.
Preschool/Kindergarten Program
School readiness through early literacy (letter recognition, phonics, storytelling, name writing), numeracy (counting, sorting, patterns, problem-solving), project-based learning, and social-emotional development.
We take school readiness seriously, but we know it's about much more than academic skills. We weave early literacy and numeracy into everyday experiences - children count natural materials outdoors, recognise patterns in play, create their own books, and engage with letters and numbers through cooking and games.
Just as importantly, we focus on the dispositions that set children up for lifelong learning: problem-solving, perseverance, resilience, curiosity, and social-emotional intelligence.
School Readiness
We create individual learning portfolios for each child, capturing their development through learning stories, observations, and photos accessible via our online portal. We provide regular updates and hold parent-educator meetings to discuss your child's progress.
Family involvement is central to our approach through regular events, opportunities to share your culture and interests, and open communication through daily updates and personal handovers.
Documentation & Family Partnership
At Elouera Caulfield South, we follow a play-based curriculum grounded in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) , Australia's national framework for early childhood education.
Our Caulfield South centre is purpose-built for early learning, featuring thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor spaces that inspire wonder, creativity, and discovery.
Our Learning Environments
Bright & Spacious Classrooms
Our classrooms are flooded with natural light, creating warm, welcoming environments where children feel comfortable and engaged.
Learning Zones
Each room features dedicated areas for different types of play and learning:
Art & Creative Spaces - Painting, drawing, collage, playdough, and hands-on creative exploration
Reading Nooks - Cosy corners filled with books where children can relax and discover stories
Construction Areas - Building blocks, loose parts, and materials for engineering and problem-solving
Dramatic Play Zones - Dress-ups, home corner, and props for imaginative play
Potty Training Areas - Dedicated, child-friendly spaces supporting toilet training
Flexible Design
Our spaces adapt to children's interests and needs, allowing for both structured activities and free exploration.
Indoor Spaces
Our outdoor areas are where learning truly comes alive. We believe children need time in nature every day.
Mud Kitchen
A favourite spot for sensory exploration, imaginative cooking, and messy play. Children mix, pour, create, and discover through hands-on experiences with natural materials.
Water Play Areas
Encouraging scientific thinking and experimentation as children explore concepts like floating, sinking, pouring, and measuring.
Playground Equipment
Well-maintained equipment supporting physical development, confidence, and coordination through climbing, sliding, swinging, and balancing.
Garden Areas
Children grow vegetables, herbs, and plants, learning about where food comes from, sustainability, and caring for living things. They plant seeds, water gardens, harvest produce, and use what they grow in cooking activities.
Natural Surroundings
Beautiful natural elements provide endless opportunities for exploration - observing insects, collecting leaves, climbing on logs, and discovering the changing seasons.
Outdoor Environments
Our centre features:
Secure keypad entry systems
CCTV in key areas
Digital sign-in systems
Comprehensive hygiene protocols
Extensive shade coverage for sun safety
Regular safety audits and emergency procedures
All our educators hold current First Aid, CPR, and Anaphylaxis management qualifications.
Safe & Secure
Nutrition & Mealtimes
Fresh, Quality Meals
All our meals are freshly prepared daily by specialist caterers who understand young children's nutritional needs.
We provide:
Breakfast - A nutritious start to the day
Morning Tea - Fresh seasonal fruit and healthy snacks
Lunch - A warm, balanced meal
Afternoon Tea - Fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables, and snacks
All included in your fees - no extra charges.
At Elouera Caulfield South, we understand nutrition's critical role in supporting children's growth, development, and wellbeing. Mealtimes are more than just eating - they're valuable learning experiences.
Diverse & Delicious
Our rotating menu covers a variety of international cuisines, exposing children to different flavours, textures, and cultural foods - from mild curries to pasta dishes, stir-fries to Australian favourites.
Every menu is:
Balanced - Proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables
Age-appropriate - Suitable textures and portion sizes for different developmental stages
Inclusive - Always includes vegetarian options
Allergy & Dietary Accommodation
We take allergies and dietary requirements seriously. Our caterers follow best practice food preparation procedures to ensure every child's safety.
When you enrol, we carefully document your child's dietary needs, allergies, and preferences. Our educators are trained in allergy management, and we work closely with families to ensure every child can enjoy mealtimes safely and happily.
We accommodate:
Food allergies (dairy, eggs, nuts, gluten, etc.)
Cultural or religious dietary requirements
Vegetarian or vegan diets
Texture modifications for developmental needs
Learning Through Food
Mealtimes at Elouera are relaxed, social occasions where children develop important life skills:
Independence - Children are encouraged to serve themselves (with support) and use age-appropriate utensils
Social Skills - Sharing meals together, conversation, table manners, and trying new foods
Food Preparation - Children participate in age-appropriate cooking activities like washing vegetables, mixing ingredients, setting tables, and simple baking
Sustainability - Learning about where food comes from through our garden areas where children grow herbs and vegetables
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Book a tour of our centre for a 30-45 minute visit. You'll meet our Centre Manager and educators, see our facilities, learn about our curriculum, and discuss your child's needs. We maintain a waiting list, so we recommend enquiring well in advance.
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Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 6:00pm. We're closed for public holidays and 5-8 days over Christmas/New Year.
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Yes, we offer both full-time and part-time placements to suit your family's needs.
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All meals (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea), nappies, wipes, sun hats, sunscreen, bedding, incursions, excursions, online portal access, and learning portfolios. The only things you need to provide are 2-3 spare clothes and comfort items.
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All our staff (except 1-2 trainees) hold Diplomas or Bachelor degrees in Early Childhood Education. We invest significantly in ongoing professional development.
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Preschool: max 10-22 children (ratio 1:10/11)
Nurseries: max 13-15 children
Toddlers: max 13-15 children (ratio 1:5) -
Yes, we accommodate all allergies and dietary requirements following best practice procedures. We document all needs at enrolment and our caterers prepare appropriate meals.
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We create a medical management plan in consultation with you and medical professionals, including medication authorisations. We work closely with families to provide appropriate care.
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Keep them home until recovered and call to let us know. The CCS system allows 42 absences per year (still paid in full).
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Yes, nappies and wipes are included in your fees.
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Yes, we're approved for Child Care Subsidy (CCS), Start Strong Fee Relief, and Kindergarten Funding. Ensure you've applied for a CRN and registered with Services Australia.
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We require a minimum of 1-2 transition visits (you can arrange more if needed) where you stay with your child as long as necessary. We provide individualised support to make the transition smooth and gentle.
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We follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) with a play-based approach, focusing on the five learning outcomes: identity, community, wellbeing, learning, and communication.
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Yes, we prepare children for school through play-based early literacy and numeracy, project-based learning, and developing essential learning dispositions like problem-solving, resilience, and curiosity.
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We partner with families, following your lead and maintaining consistency between home and centre with gentle encouragement and support.
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Through our online portal (daily updates, photos, learning stories), face-to-face handovers at pickup, and you're welcome to call anytime. We also hold regular parent-educator meetings.
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We host regular events (holiday celebrations, morning teas, classroom visits) and invite families to share their cultures, skills, and interests with the children.
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Secure keypad entry, CCTV, digital sign-in, regular emergency drills, comprehensive hygiene protocols, and strict sun safety measures. All educators hold First Aid, CPR, and Anaphylaxis qualifications.
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Call us on 03 9191 1050, email via our website, or use our online booking form.
Book your tour today
Experience the Elouera difference. Meet our team, explore our beautiful spaces, and discover why families love our centre.
Elouera Early Learning - Caulfield South
279-281 North Road, Caulfield South VIC 3162
Phone: 03 9191 1050
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-6:00pm