Bundaberg Early Learning Centre ELS

Meeting
Queensland Free Kindy
5.0 /5
18 reviews

Childcare and kindergarten in Bundaberg, QLD

Welcome to Bundaberg Early Learning Centre. Our daycare and early learning centre is ideally located for families in Bundaberg, Bundaberg West, Millbank, Avoca, Kensington, and Branyan. Bundaberg Early Learning Centre offers long day care and a Government-approved Kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with extended hours to suit busy families.

Our purpose-built daycare and kindergarten centre in Bundaberg offers innovative early learning programs in a safe, nurturing environment. Our Bundaberg childcare centre features three distinct outdoor environments, providing age-appropriate climbing experiences for safety. We have a bush tucker and native garden, an interactive whiteboard in our kindergarten room, and diverse play areas reflecting children’s interests. Our dedicated educators and teachers create a family-like environment, making every child feel secure. Our Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher delivers a Government-approved Kindergarten program that prepares children for a smooth transition to school. We host community guests and shows, including Wakka Boy, music performances, and cultural activities. Kindergarten children enjoy extracurriculars such as Future Champs sports, Indigenous art, and the Spanish program through the ELLA platform, all included in the daily fee.

Why you’ll love Bundaberg Early Learning Centre

Spacious outdoor environments

Passionate, qualified educators

Nappies and wipes provided

Chef-prepared meals

Government-approved Kindergarten program

Family communication app

Extended/flexible hours

Incursions/excursions

Sun protection aware

Allergy and anaphylaxis aware

Language program

Sports program

Meet our Centre Manager

Nicole

  • Advanced Diploma of Community Services
  • Diploma of Leadership and Business Management
“Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a child grow and develop, knowing we play a vital role in shaping their future as early childhood educators.”

My career in early childhood education began in 2001, and I joined Bundaberg Early Learning Centre in 2013. I was inspired to pursue this career because I love watching children laugh and learn. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a child grow and develop, knowing we play a vital role in shaping their future as early childhood educators.

My approach to early learning is always positive and approachable. As a centre manager, I relate to all families and children in my centre. By getting down to the children’s level and taking the time to understand their personalities, I create an environment of trust and security.

Our team is passionate about creating a centre that feels like a home away from home for both families and children. We celebrate cultural diversity and work in partnership with families to meet each child’s individual needs. All team members are trained in Child Protection, and we have an onsite Child Protection champion who leads the team and monitors standards. We have a Workplace Health and Safety officer who ensures health and safety standards are met through quality checklists and procedures.

Many educators have been with the centre for over 10 years, fostering a strong team culture where we support and guide each other. Many of us have children of our own, so we understand the childcare and early learning journey. We proudly offer support, from enrolment and applying for the Child Care Subsidy to tips for handling fussy eaters. We’re here to help.

I look forward to welcoming you to our early education centre in Bundaberg.

Read moreless

Our innovative early learning programs

At our early learning centre in Bundaberg, our experienced educators and teachers continually seek innovative ways to enrich your child’s education. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, we offer a variety of engaging and diverse learning experiences, including:

Sustainability

We open your child’s mind to the outdoors, raising their awareness of the environment and the importance of their role in protecting it. Our centre has a natural garden with native plants, vegetable gardens, and bush tucker trees, providing hands-on learning experiences about sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

Inclusion

We create a sense of belonging for your child to ensure they feel heard and empowered to make choices, fostering their independence. We celebrate each child’s unique strengths, helping them to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Music and movement

Our evidence-based Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR) program is designed to develop fundamental skills that help support children’s self-regulation, memory, and concentration. It is an innovative approach to holistic learning, development and well-being in early childhood.

STEM

We encourage your child to ask questions, experiment, and problem-solve, all while engaging their natural curiosity. By fostering this inquisitive mindset, we help them develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Age-appropriate early learning

ELS-centre-nursery

(0 – 15 months)

Nursery

In the nursery room, our main learning goals focus on meeting children’s milestones and socialisation. This includes fostering essential physical skills such as crawling, walking, and fine motor abilities. We emphasise encouraging social interactions with caregivers and peers, which is vital for building early social and emotional connections.

  Next: Junior toddlers
ELS-centre-toddler-3

(15 months – 2 years)

Junior toddlers

For this age group, our primary learning goals are enhancing socialisation, assisting with separation anxiety, and introducing new learning and play experiences. We aim to build their confidence through diverse activities, helping them adjust to spending time away from their parents and developing initial social skills.

Previous: Nursery Next: Senior toddlers
ELS-centre-toddler-1

(2 – 3 years)

Senior toddlers

For the 2-3 age group, our focus shifts to developing self-help skills, socialisation skills, and language development. Children are encouraged to become more independent by learning tasks such as feeding and dressing themselves. Group activities are designed to enhance their social interactions, while language development is fostered through communication and expressive activities.

Previous: Junior toddlers Next: Pre-kindy
ELS-centre-pre-kindy (2)

(3 – 4 years)

Pre-kindy

In the pre-kindy room, our main learning goals involve further developing social skills and emotional regulation. Children are introduced to early literacy and numeracy concepts, preparing them for more structured learning environments. Independence is promoted through self-directed play and tasks, helping children gain confidence in their abilities.

Previous: Senior toddlers Next: Kindergarten
ELS-centre-kindy

(4 – 5 years)

Kindergarten

Led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher, our Government-approved Kindergarten program focuses on preparing children for school readiness. With a capacity of up to 22 children per day, our kindergarten program emphasises literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills. The curriculum is designed to enhance social, emotional, and physical development through structured learning activities, ensuring each child receives individual attention and personalised experiences.

Previous: Pre-kindy  
ELS-centre-kindergarten-program

Queensland Government-approved Kindergarten program

Our kindergarten programs are tailored to meet your child’s individual learning needs across numeracy, literacy, emotional and social development, resilience, and self-regulation.

At our early learning centre, we offer a Queensland Government-approved Kindergarten enhanced learning program, supporting your child’s development and well-being from now, at school and beyond. In Queensland, 4-year-old children can access a funded kindergarten program led by a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. If eligible, your child will be able to participate in the government-approved kindergarten program at no cost, for up to 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year. Talk to us about how this reduces your out-of-pocket costs.

The added benefits of our kindergarten program include:

  • Extended long day care opening hours
  • Open all year round (excl. public holidays)
  • Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
  • Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation
ELS-centre-page-food-2

We’re all about healthy, nutritious eating

Thanks to the in-house chef at our Bundaberg child care centre, your child can expect healthy, nutritious, and yummy meals. We offer a rotating seasonal menu, providing breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack freshly made daily. We cater to all dietary requirements, including halal.

What a typical day looks like for your child

typical-day-arrival-648x300-1.jpg

Arrival at the centre

Your child will be welcomed by our team of educators, who will ensure the morning transition from home to centre goes as smoothly as possible. On arrival, share information about your child’s specific needs for the day.

  Next: Mealtimes
typical-day-mealtime-2-648x300-1.jpg

Mealtimes

Our centre chefs prepare a nutritious menu for your child to sit down and eat. This is a great time for everyone to share stories from the day. Educators model healthy eating practices, social behaviours and support children’s growing independence with mealtime routines.

Previous: Arrival at the centre Next: Infant care
typical-day-infant-care-648x300-1.jpg

Infant care

If you have an infant, we spend one-on-one time with them to establish a connection. Educators talk gently and respond to babies’ cues. We use songs, games, and conversations to strengthen relationships and build language skills.

Previous: Mealtimes Next: Play-based learning
typical-day-play-based-learning-648x300-1.jpg

Play-based learning

Your child is naturally curious. They want to learn and explore, which is why we teach through play-based learning. It supports language, motor skills, memory, emotions and social relationships. Educators plan play-based learning experiences based on children’s interests and goals.

Previous: Infant care Next: Sleep, rest and relaxation
sleep-rest-slider

Sleep, rest and relaxation

We match routines to your child’s individual needs. Opportunities for rest and relaxation help make them feel safe. Play-based learning experiences are provided for older children who no longer don’t sleep in centre.

Previous: Play-based learning Next: Heading home
typical-day-slider-heading-home-648x300-1.jpg

Heading home

As your child prepares to head home, this is your opportunity to speak with our friendly educators about your child’s day and everything they learnt. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow.

Previous: Sleep, rest and relaxation  

Communicating with families

We prioritise clear and consistent communication with families to foster a strong partnership in supporting each child’s development. We ensure families feel informed, involved, and confident in their child’s early learning journey.

Our families love hearing about their child’s progress and the experiences they’re having day to day. We share these moments through centre newsletters, our Xplor App, one-on-one meetings, and at various centre events.

Fees

The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.

  • Nursery0 – 2 years

    $150.00
  • Toddler2 – 3 years

    $149.00
  • Kindergarten3 – 5 years

    $148.00

Child Care Subsidy Estimator

Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.*

1-4 days = full day session; 5 days = 10 hour per day sessions

CCS Estimator results

  • Estimated subsidy

    $0.00
  • Total fees

    $0.00
  • Out-of-pocket cost

    $0.00

*This estimator provides an estimate only and is based on the following assumptions:

  • Accuracy and currency of family income information entered;
  • Family CCS entitlements include 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. Please note your family may be entitled to less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight – if you are unsure we recommend you use the comprehensive CCS estimator in the link below.
  • Where 1-4 days of care is selected, full day sessions apply (being full operational hours of the centre, which can vary between centres)
  • Where 5 days of care is selected, 10-hour per day sessions apply (ie, 50 hours p/w to optimise 100 hours of CCS subsidised care across the fortnight)

Where a family’s CCS entitlements include less than 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, please use the comprehensive CCS calculator as a guide via the link below.

For a more complete subsidy estimation, check out our comprehensive CCS calculator here.

Calculate my subsidy

Explore nearby G8 Education centres

Looking for other great childcare, kindergarten or preschool options? Discover more G8 Education centres near you!

Frequently asked questions

A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.

On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.

Our Family Support Team will add your child’s name to our waitlist if one of our childcare centres is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review availability, and you will receive a text message confirming whether you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call.

Our Family Support Team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Early Learning Services centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.

For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits and spare socks.

For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits and spare socks.

Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.

It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.

Early Learning Services uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.

After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.

If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Early Learning Services is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.

Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.

Contact us

We look forward to welcoming your family.