Welcome to the Early Learning Centre

We wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which our Centre stands and to pay our respects to Elders past and present.

We hope this information will assist you in settling your child into the Centre and answer any questions you may have. If you require more detailed information, please do not hesitate to consult with the Centre Director or a staff member.

Sacred Heart Primary School commenced Child Care operations in 2006 with the opening of an Outside School Hours Care service for 60 places. The Centre was originally located in the Special Education Centre, and in 2008 it relocated to the purpose-built Loreto Child Services Centre.

In 2009, Sacred Heart commenced Long Day Care for 30 children aged 2 to 5 ½. The beginning of 2010 saw further changes with the OSHC service relocating to the vacated Year 7 classrooms, paving the way for the newly named Early Learning Centre to extend its licensed hours. Also, during 2010, the Loreto Child Care Services building was extended, allowing the Early Learning Centre to increase the number of licensed places from 30 to 45.  In 2012 the license was further increased to the current 56 places.

In 2019 the highly successful kindy program was established and in 2020 further changes were made with OSH moving down to the Hall Spaces

The Early Learning Centre is assessed under the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care, which the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority administer. The ELC was rated as Meeting National Quality Standard in all quality areas in December 2018.

Families are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the services and to consult with the Centre Director or a staff member for more information about the assessment and rating process, or visit http://acecqa.gov.au.

Megan Rowland
Children’s Services Director

Our Story

Sacred Heart School Thornlie was founded by the Loreto Sisters in 1965. Initially the school was located at Tonbridge Way and was operated as a single stream school. During the early 1980’s a decision was made to move to the present site in order to accommodate a double stream school.

At the beginning of 1988 the Junior Primary classes were established and by 1994 the school had grown to a full double stream school with a Special Education Centre. Our purpose built childcare facility was opened in 2008.

The Loreto Education Mission Statement is formed on belief in God who creates each person with endless potential and with equal right to participate fully in our world.

Loreto Education Mission Statement

“To offer a Catholic Education which liberates, empowers and motivates students to use their individual gifts with confidence, creativity and generosity in loving and responsible service.”

Sister Mary Ward, founder of the Loreto Sisters, believed “that each one of us can have free and open access to God and can find God in the ordinary experiences of each day, if we but reflect on them.”

Staffing

All staff employed by Sacred Heart ELC hold or are working towards a minimum Certificate III in Children’s Services. We also employ an Early Childhood Teacher and Diploma qualified staff.

At least one staff member with current first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training will be present at the service at all times.

We believe in providing the highest quality and staff will commit to ongoing improvement through reflective practices and professional development.

All staff have current Working with Children Checks.

We believe in always striving to improve and staff are encouraged to undertake further study and are involved in professional development throughout each year.

The staff: child ratios contained within the Child Care Regulations will be strictly adhered to at the Centre at all times.  These ratios are: 2-3 years 1:5 3-6 years 1:10.