Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista ELC
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Additional Centre Information
How do I enrol my child at CURIOSITY ELC?
Enrolment at Curiosity Early Learning Centre begins by attending a Principal’s Tour of the school and ELC, submitting an enrolment application, and participating in an enrolment interview with the Principal and ELC Director. Once a place for your child is confirmed, the ELC Director will then arrange a time with you to discuss and explore the most suitable starting point for your child at Curiosity.
Children may begin at Curiosity up to two years before starting Foundation, provided they have turned three. If your child is not yet three at the start of the school year, enrolment may begin following their third birthday, at the start or middle of Terms 1, 2, or 3. Term 4 entry is not typically offered as the number of transitions at this time of year can be unsettling for young children, though it may be available for children of currently enrolled families.
What are the attendance requirements at CURIOSITY ELC?
At Curiosity Early Learning Centre, we support the holistic development of each child - nurturing social, emotional, and early learning growth in a safe and engaging environment.
Children aged 3–5 years can attend a minimum of 5 days per fortnight. This may look like a flexible pattern of 3 days one week and 2 days the next. We encourage families to make the most of our Long Day Care offering, with additional days available to further support your child’s development and continuity of learning.
Consistency matters. Attending care in one familiar setting helps build strong relationships and supports your child’s sense of belonging. While we aim to accommodate the varying needs of families, all bookings are made with a focus on maintaining a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for both children and staff.
How do I nominate days of attendance for my child at CURIOSITY ELC?
Once your child’s enrolment has been accepted, a meeting with the ELC Director will be arranged to confirm key details, including your preferred days of attendance. This meeting is a collaborative opportunity to establish shared goals and mutual expectations, laying the foundation for a strong and supportive partnership between your family and our team. Your child’s wellbeing and engagement in learning remain central to all that we do.
At this time, we ask that you provide your child’s immunisation history, along with any current medical plans relating to asthma, anaphylaxis, allergies, eczema, or other conditions requiring attention. We’ll also discuss any inclusion needs your child may have, and we encourage families to bring relevant Allied Health reports, such as from speech or occupational therapists or paediatricians, to help us plan effectively for their transition and participation.
We value consistency in care and understand the positive impact of secure, familiar environments on a child’s development. While we offer flexibility in session bookings, our priority is always the safety, wellbeing, and optimal learning environment for all children and staff.
What are the fees for CURIOSITY ELC?
Early Learning Program (3-5 year olds):
9:00am – 3:00pm
$95 per day
Drop-off from 8:30 am, no later than 9am, with pick up before 3:20 pm.
Long Day Care (3-5 year olds):
Before Program Care: 7:00 am – 8:30 am – $15 per session
After Program Care: 3:20 pm – 6:00 pm – $25 per session
These sessions include a light breakfast (Morning Sunrise) and afternoon snack (Afternoon Delight).
Late Fees: Ensuring Punctuality and Smooth Operations
To ensure smooth daily operations:
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Children still in care after 3:20pm will be transitioned into After Program Care, with CCS applied where eligible.
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The centre closes at 6:00pm. Families collecting after this time will incur a $20 late fee for the first 15 minutes, plus $1 per minute after 6:15pm.
At Curiosity ELC, we are committed to providing high-quality early childhood education in a supportive, flexible environment. To view our full fee structure and conditions, please refer to our Curiosity ELC Fees Policy.
Do you have a school holiday program?
Yes, Curiosity Early Learning Centre operates a Holiday Program during school holiday periods, maintaining the same high standard of care as during term time. Session times and fees remain unchanged, and families can refer to our fee schedule for before and after care options.
Participation in the Holiday Program is optional and comes at no extra cost; families may choose to opt out without charge. Holiday Program booking details are shared in Week 6 of each term.
To keep fees consistent for all families, our planning is based on full attendance. As such, refunds are not available for missed sessions, and days cannot be swapped within the week. If you wish to make changes to your child’s booking, such as reducing days or altering sessions, please provide two weeks’ written notice. All changes are subject to management approval and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if my child cannot attend their session?
We understand that arranging care for an unwell child can be difficult. However, we kindly ask families to keep children at home if they have a temperature of 37.5°C or higher, or are showing signs of illness. While we do our best to reduce the spread of illness at Curiosity, the wellbeing of all children and staff depends on families making thoughtful decisions.
If your child will be absent for more than two weeks, please provide written notification to the ELC Director. Fee waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What does my child need to bring to ELC?
To ensure your child has a comfortable and enriching experience at CURIOSITY ELC, please provide the following items daily:
- A labelled drink bottle with fresh water.
- A labelled fruit/vegetable container with ready-to-eat snacks.
- A labelled lunch box containing a healthy snack, lunch option, and a treat.
- A labelled school hat (left for laundering each week).
- A labelled change of clothes, including underwear.
- Library folder on the day your child borrows.
- A pair of labelled gumboots, to be left at the Centre.
Curiosity is a Nut-Free and Nude Food centre, encouraging healthy eating and sustainable practices. We ask families to avoid food with wrappers. Food scraps are composted, and any remaining waste is sent home to be managed by families.
Children attending our Before and After sessions are offered nutritious breakfast and afternoon options as part of our ‘Morning Sunrise’ and ‘Afternoon Sunset’ menus. These menus are shaped by our community and encourage children to take part in food preparation, building a sense of belonging and independence.
Sample menu items include:
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Breakfast: fresh fruit, yoghurt, cheese toast, boiled eggs, porridge
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Afternoon Tea: vegetable sticks with dips, pancakes, rice crackers, and more
Our food offering aligns with the Healthy Eating Advisory Service and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.
What are the uniform requirements for my child?
At Curiosity ELC, we believe children should be free to explore, play, and move with ease. To support this, we’ve chosen a small number of compulsory uniform items that reflect our connection to Good Shepherd Lutheran School, along with suggested items that you may purchase at your discretion.
You can find full details in our downloadable Uniform Information Booklet.
Compulsory School Issue Items:
- Bucket hat
- CURIOSITY polo shirt
- Navy pullover jumper
- Library folder (Take Home Bag)
- School Bag
Additional Compulsory Items – available as school issue or generic purchase through Kmart or similar
- Good Shepherd Navy beanie
- Navy blue shorts
- Navy blue track pants
- Plain White or navy socks
School branded items can be reused when your child transitions into Foundation, but we understand families may prefer generic options to reduce costs.
Compulsory footwear (non-school issue):
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Velcro sneakers (flat-soled, no high tops, and minimal grip for safety)
Optional non-school issue items:
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Gumboots (may be kept at the Centre for outdoor play)
We encourage creativity and curiosity. Messy play and the occasional accident are all part of the learning journey. Please ensure your child’s bag contains a complete spare uniform, including underwear, to allow for quick changes when needed.
Important! Label every item, including underwear. You’ll be surprised how easily things can go on unexpected adventures!
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
Toilet training is an important developmental milestone, but we recognise that every child progresses at their own pace. We ask that families begin toilet training before their child starts at Curiosity ELC. Children aged between 18 months and 3 years are typically able to develop these skills, and we encourage your support in this area.
We understand that some children may need additional time, and successful toilet training requires consistency between home and Curiosity ELC. Nappy change facilities are available to ensure children are cared for with dignity when needed. Families are asked to provide nappies or pull-ups as required.
Teaching your child basic hygiene practices such as wiping, flushing, and hand washing is essential in preparing for their start at Curiosity.
We will discuss your child’s individual needs regarding toileting during enrolment and transition.
Will my child have the opportunity to rest throughout the day?
At Curiosity ELC, we care for the whole child and respond to each child’s individual emotional and physical needs. Opportunities to rest and relax are provided both indoors and outdoors, allowing children to connect with nature or find comfort inside.
We recognise that rest supports self-regulation, helping children maintain focus and engagement in play and learning.
The Centre includes quiet areas for relaxation, as well as a designated rest space equipped with mattresses. Families are asked to provide a small pillow, sheet, and blanket for their child’s rest time. These items can be stored at Curiosity ELC in a labelled small bag, which should be brought in each Monday. We encourage families to take these items home on Fridays for laundering if they have been used during the week.
What involvement will my child have with Good Shepherd Lutheran School?
Curiosity Early Learning Centre enjoys a strong connection with Good Shepherd Lutheran School, providing access to the school’s extensive resources. This partnership supports a smooth and positive transition into Foundation.
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Creative Arts Specialist – Children participate in specialist music and movement lessons led by the school’s educators, working alongside Curiosity staff.
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Physical Education – Curiosity children use the school’s facilities including courts, playgrounds, the oval, and gym for physical education activities.
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Library Visits – Weekly visits to the school library involve engaging literacy and language activities. Children can also borrow a book each week to share at home.
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Nature Play at Deborah Grove – Each week, children explore the natural learning space at Deborah Grove, supported by cross-campus buddies who promote safe practices.
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Chapels and Assemblies – Curiosity students attend selected chapels and assemblies throughout the year, where they participate in worship and learning. Parents are invited to join these events.
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Cross Campus Buddies – The connection with the school provides opportunities for children to engage with older students, fostering friendships and easing their transition to Foundation.
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Community Garden – Children take part in weekly visits to the onsite community garden, enjoying year-round planting and harvesting as part of Curiosity’s award-winning ‘Living & Learning’ program.
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Community Events – Curiosity participates in whole-school events, including the annual start-of-year gathering, offering families a chance to connect over food and conversation in a dedicated area.
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Families in Action (FIA) – We prioritise family partnerships by offering volunteer training and invitations to participate in hands-on learning experiences such as woodwork, science experiments, and gardening, strengthening the link between home and learning.
What opportunities will my child have for transitioning to Foundation at Good Shepherd Lutheran School?
At Curiosity ELC and Good Shepherd Lutheran School, our educators are dedicated to ensuring a smooth and positive transition from early learning to school. Over their two years at Curiosity, children engage in numerous connection opportunities that help them become familiar with staff, facilities, and the wider learning community, making the move to ‘big school’ both comfortable and enjoyable.
During the 3 and 4 year old programs, children participate in small group activities alongside their peers, developing their confidence and a strong sense of belonging within the environment.
We also collaborate closely with Allied Health professionals and the Foundation Team to support each child’s unique needs, ensuring their transition to school is successful and celebrated by all.
Where are you located?
Curiosity Early Learning Centre is conveniently located at the corner of Montague Road and Dwight Street in Para Vista, South Australia. Onsite parking is available via Hillary Crescent, with additional street parking on the southern side of Montague Road and nearby streets. For safety, we recommend using the pedestrian crossing when accessing the centre from Montague Road.
What are your hours of operation?
Curiosity ELC offers flexible hours to accommodate the varied needs of families. We are open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 48 weeks annually.
While the centre remains open during most school holidays, we close for a four-week break over Christmas. The exact dates are published at the start of each year to support family planning.
During the Christmas closure, families may choose to participate in holiday programs or opt out without incurring fees, with their usual attendance days retained for the new term.
For 2025, our final day of operation is Friday, 19th December.
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