ELC
St Michael's Early Learning Centre
Our Early Learning Centre, based in St Kilda, Melbourne, and located within Margaret Thomas House, marks the beginning of a child’s education journey from Kindergarten to Year 12. Here, your child will be known, valued, and empowered to explore a hundred ways of learning — inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and grounded in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
Flexible 3-Year-Old Kindergarten — Apply Now for 2027
Every family is different — and from 2027, St Michael's Early Learning Centre gives you the flexibility to choose what works best for yours.
Our 3-Year-Old Kindergarten program is now available across three enrolment options:
3 days — Monday to Wednesday
4 days — Monday to Thursday
5 days — Monday to Friday
All programs run from 8:40am to 3:15pm, delivering the same Exceeding-rated curriculum, the same expert educators, and the same rich learning experiences your child deserves — whatever their schedule looks like.
Hear from an ELC Parent
Why Families Choose St Michael’s ELC
Families choose St Michael’s Early Learning Centre for the way we nurture curiosity, confidence and belonging from the very beginning.
Our Philosophy
Every child is unique, capable, and curious.
We believe each child brings their own strengths, interests, and potential to our community. Our Early Learning Centre educators tailor learning experiences that nurture individual growth and encourage exploration.
Learning is inquiry-driven, child-centred, and socially constructed.
At our Early Learning Centre, children are nurtured to become active participants in their learning, asking questions, experimenting, and discovering alongside peers. We foster collaboration, problem-solving, and reflection to build deep understanding of the world around them.
Children are respected for their voices, ideas, and perspectives.
At St Michael’s Early Learning Centre, every opinion matters. Children are supported to express themselves, make choices, and see their ideas valued in meaningful ways.
We foster inclusivity, diversity, and belonging from the very first day.
We create an environment where every child and family feels welcomed, understood, and celebrated. Learning environments reflect diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
Learning in Action
Our Programs (8:40am–3:15pm)
From 2027, families enrolling in 3-Year-Old Kindergarten will be able to choose from:
- 3-Day Program: Monday–Wednesday, 8:40am–3:15pm (Floris Room)
- 4-Day Program: Monday–Thursday 8:40am–3:15pm (Floris Room)
- Full-Time Program: Monday–Friday 8:40am–3:15pm (Botanica Room)
Each day at our Early Learning Centre blends routine, exploration, and discovery to support holistic development.
- Morning Meetings, Literacy Songs & Inquiry Provocations: Setting the tone for curiosity, language development, and social connection.
- Indoor & Outdoor Play: A balance of structured activities and self-directed play, encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
- Specialist Classes: Music, Art, Literature, PE, and Mandarin (Pre-Prep) provide opportunities for skills growth and cultural learning.
- Mindfulness & Calm Time (“Siesta”): Children recharge, building self-regulation and wellbeing.
- Afternoon Meetings: Reflection on the day, sharing discoveries, and preparing for home.
Signature Programs
Signature Program – Mighty Me
Exclusive to St Michael’s Early Learning Centre, Mighty Me nurtures wellbeing, resilience, and self-awareness.
- Yoga & Mindfulness: Supporting emotional regulation, focus, and confidence.
- Kitchen Garden & Eco Education: Hands-on learning about nature, sustainability, and healthy choices.
- Community Walks & Indigenous Education: Encouraging curiosity, respect, and understanding of local culture and environment.
- Beach Kinder (Pre-Prep): Outdoor adventure and connection to the natural world.
- Music, Art, PE, Library & Mandarin: Specialist-led sessions supporting creativity, physical development, and language acquisition.
The Early Learning Centre Learning Spaces
- Dedicated Classrooms: Two 3-Year-Old rooms (Floris & Botanica) and two Pre-Prep rooms (Arbor & Silvae), designed for exploration and curiosity.
- Purpose-Built Play Areas: Spaces encourage risk-taking, creativity, and collaborative play.
- Specialist Facilities: Access to the Kitchen Garden, Knowledge Commons (Library), Gymnasium, and Hall enhances learning opportunities.
- Flexible Environments: Zones for quiet reflection, group collaboration, and imaginative play help children thrive across all activities.
Specialist Programs
Our Specialist Programs provide a rich variety of experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Children engage in Music, Visual Arts, PE & Movement, Mandarin (Pre-Prep), Literature & Research, and evidence-based literacy activities, developing skills in self-expression, teamwork, language, and critical thinking. Each program is designed to inspire learning through play, exploration, and guided discovery.
Excellence in Early Learning
Our Early Learning Centre has been recognised for excellence by families and regulatory bodies. In the Kindergarten Parent Opinion Survey 2024 we achieved a perfect 100% across key areas, complementing our ‘Exceeding’ rating from The Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority ACECQA.
100% of families agreed:
- Overall satisfaction with their child’s private Kindergarten education
- Teachers make learning engaging and tailored to each child
- Opportunities for children to form friendships
- Preparation for transition to school
Enrolments + Fees
As a guide, based on the 2026 Annual Fees & Changes, the term-time fees for the ELC Program are:
- 3 days: $17,110
- 4 days: $22,253
- 5 days: $27,396
Annual fees are pro-rated depending on whether a student is enrolled in the 3- or 4-day program.
The 2027 Annual Fees & Changes will be published at the end of October 2026.
Fees shown exclude the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Free Kinder subsidy. Subsidy amounts are subject to eligibility.
Fees for Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), delivered in partnership with TeamKids, can be viewed here.
A confirmation fee of $2,300 is payable to accept an offer of enrolment.
For further information regarding payment options and available discounts, please refer to Fees | St Michael’s Grammar School.
St Michael’s is one of Australia’s leading independent coeducational schools, educating more than 1200 students from Kindergarten to VCE. We acknowledge the Boonwurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which St Michael’s stands. We pay respect to their ancestors, elders and emerging leaders, and we are committed to reconciliation through authentic relationships and continued cultural learning.
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