The Centre — A Home Away From Home
At Ascot Early Childhood, we provide an environment that is not only beautiful but deeply intentional — a place where children feel safe, inspired, and eager to learn. Every detail of our centre has been thoughtfully curated to create a true home away from home — a nurturing space where children can belong, explore, and thrive.
With timber floors, French doors that invite the outdoors in, and mature trees offering natural shade, our centre fosters connection, curiosity, and a deep respect for the world around us.
"Our image of the child is rich in potential, strong, powerful, competent and connected to adults and other children"
— Loris Malaguzzi
Learning Spaces That Inspire
Our spacious, light-filled rooms are designed to support children’s learning, wellbeing, and sense of agency. Natural textures, gentle colour palettes, and thoughtful arrangements create calm, inviting spaces where children feel secure and inspired.
Each room offers:
Dedicated literacy corners with rich collections of picture books and non-fiction texts that spark a love of reading and storytelling.
Construction and investigation areas filled with natural and open-ended materials — timber blocks, coloured and natural pieces, puzzles, nuts and bolts — to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.
Art and expression studios where drawing, painting, sculpture, music, and performance are used as languages of learning, helping children represent ideas and explore emotions.
Nature discovery tables featuring stones, seeds, pods, petals, and other treasures that deepen children’s connection to the natural world.
Materials That Matter
We are committed to offering authentic, purposeful materials that enrich learning and stand the test of time. Every resource — from woven baskets and timber tools to silks, shells, and natural fibres — is chosen for its beauty, durability, and ability to invite curiosity and deep exploration.
Our materials promote:
Open-ended play that encourages imagination, creativity, and critical thinking
Connection to nature, supporting environmental responsibility and sustainability
Rich sensory experiences that engage children’s minds, bodies, and hearts
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Learning
Our two generous decks extend learning beyond the classroom, providing flexible, open-air spaces where children can create, converse, and engage with their environment. French doors open wide to blend indoors and outdoors, supporting children’s freedom to move, choose, and learn in ways that feel natural and meaningful.
Our Approach to Learning and Wellbeing
At Ascot Early Childhood, learning is woven through every moment of the day. Language, literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts are not taught in isolation — they are explored through projects, play, and experiences that excite and engage. We foster:
Intelligence through imagination — with art, music, dance, drama, and puppetry as vital learning tools
Social and emotional literacy, with practices like mindfulness, meditation, and circle times helping children build empathy, resilience, and self-regulation
Belonging and compassion, creating a kind, inclusive community where every child feels valued
These elements are embedded in our Be You action plan, part of the national mental health in education initiative delivered by Beyond Blue.