Welcome to Early Learning

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At IGS Early Learning Centre, our qualified, dedicated and passionate teachers and educators love what they do. We nurture each child’s curiosity, self-discovery and creativity in an environment rich in languages, music and vibrant opportunities. Together, we embrace diversity and celebrate personal achievement.

We harness the natural curiosity and energy of our youngest learners. We draw upon a broad mix of theories and philosophies, including Reggio Emilia in early childhood education to ensure children enjoy new and exciting opportunities for developmental play and in-depth learning.

The ELC Philosophy is shaped by the IGS vision of Unity Through Diversity and reflects the School’s core values of authenticity, vibrancy, connectedness, diversity and personal achievement.

Two women wearing matching Vive La Révolution! shirts smile whilst standing in a brightly lit, colourful Early Learning classroom with shelves, books, and a green carpet area in the background.

We are rated as Exceeding

We are proudly rated as Exceeding in all seven quality areas of the National Quality Standard (NQS) pertaining to the education and care of children in early education settings.

Logo featuring colourful overlapping geometric shapes and the text RATED EXCEEDING NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD in bold orange and black letters on a white background, highlighting excellence in Early Learning.

Learn More

Two young children, immersed in Early Childhood Education, look closely at green plants in a garden bed, appearing curious and engaged. Bright pink ribbons are tied nearby, and sunlight filters in, creating a lively and playful atmosphere perfect for early learning experiences.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

The IGS Early Learning Centre is an approved child care service provider and eligible families can access Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Use this calculator to provide an estimate of what CCS payments will offset your daily fee, based on your family circumstances. Eligible families may also receive the NSW Government Start Strong for Long Day Care fee relief.

TESTIMONIALS

“Dear IGS ELC Staff
We wanted to thank you all for the incredible care and dedication you have shown our children during their time at IGS.
We’ve seen them grow a lot during their time at IGS from their new language skills, to developing their interests or talking about a new topic they have learned at IGS.
It’s clear that a lot of time, effort and dedication has been spent and we are grateful for the genuine care all staff members have shown.
Thank you for playing such an important and crucial role in our children’s lives.”

– Claire and Austin

“Our daughter started at IGS in January 2026, and it has been a wonderful experience so far. The educators are warm, caring and genuinely diverse, creating an environment where she feels supported and inspired. We have particularly valued the school’s focus on languages and music, and it has been lovely to see visible changes in her confidence, behaviour and enthusiasm in these areas. We also appreciate the regular day-to-day feedback, which helps us feel closely connected to her learning and development.”

– Eva and Victor

“As tomorrow marks our daughter’s last day at IGS Early Learning Centre (ELC), we wanted to extend our heartfelt and sincere thanks for the most remarkable year.

We have been overjoyed to watch her grow so much under your care and guidance. She is leaving IGS as a more confident and considerate little person, complete with some solid French phrases under her belt!

We are incredibly grateful we made the move to IGS. It truly is a special place, and we will cherish this time.”

– Milly and Alex

We have two children in the ELC (including one who joined from another Centre mid year) and our experience for both our children has been extremely positive.

The kids at IGS ELC are vibrant, happy, welcoming and kind. Our children love the languages program and the music lessons and we are continually impressed by how much they are learning each day. There is an array of events throughout the year with incredible activities planned that keep students continually interested and engaged.

The entire ELC staff are so supportive, welcoming, kind, fun and playful and that radiates in the classroom and creates a really wonderful community feel.

– Rhiannon and Jonathan

Children play on colourful playground equipment and engage in early learning activities at tables under a large white canopy in an outdoor play area, with adults supervising in the background.

Visit our Centre

We offer small group tours for parents/carers and their children to visit our Early Learning Centre. These tours focus on viewing the beautiful learning spaces and seeing the educational program in action. Tours run for approximately 30 minutes and take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10.30am during term time.

Book a Tour

A teacher enthusiastically leads a group of young children in a classroom activity; the kids wave colourful scarves whilst smiling and moving to music. The classroom walls, filled with art and educational posters, highlight the power of music in early learning.

Educational Program

Being, Belonging, Becoming

Our program is underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework, the national curriculum of early education and care services, as well as our specialised focus on learning a second language and music. It provides children with a variety of creative, open-ended and vibrant learning experiences including construction, art, drawing, puzzles, sensory experiences, and dramatic play in our indoor and outdoor environments. Children are supported to build on their individual interests, ideas, skills and strengths through deep and meaningful project work.

A woman sits in a classroom, engaging in Early Learning as she reads and shows a picture book to a group of young children seated on the floor. The children listen attentively, surrounded by colourful classroom decorations and photos on the wall behind them.

Languages

Bilingual Program

From their first day your child will be immersed in the joy of learning another language. This is our school’s unique offering! Upon enrolment families elect one of five languages, which their child will learn during their time at IGS. We offer French, German, Italian, Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin). IGS takes an immersive approach to teaching children languages that connect to the curriculum. Children from a very early age are exposed to rich language input from their language educators during a daily language experience. Through activities such as rhymes, songs, poetry, stories, dance, action games, play, and visual gestures, children explore the language with their educator.

Two young children play a wooden xylophone together in a bright, indoor play area, fostering early learning. One wears a blue hat, the other a pink crown. Other kids and an adult are in the background near playground equipment.

Music

We often call music our sixth language at IGS. Music is intrinsically linked to the Early Years Learning Framework and is interconnected to the importance of language and culture at IGS. The Early Years music curriculum is informed by Orff-Schulwerk, Dalcroze, and Kodály music education methodologies, which connect to the curriculum in the Kindergarten to Year 6 music program. As a sensory learning experience, children come to understand the symbolic language of music through singing, playing, listening and moving.

Three young children wearing red hats sit at a table outdoors, making a long red paper chain for Chinese New Year. Play structures and more children are visible in the background, with greenery and an ELC play area surrounding them.

Explore our Early Learning Centre

Take a Virtual Tour

Step inside our welcoming Early Learning Centre and discover the inspiring spaces where curiosity, creativity and confidence flourish. Explore our purpose-designed classrooms, engaging outdoor learning environments and language spaces, and see how young children learn, play and grow at IGS.

Take a Tour

Key FAQs

When can my child attend IGS Early Learning Centre?

We are licensed by the Department of Education to enrol children from 3 to 5 years of age. Mid-year enrolments are welcome pending availability.

What are the attendance options?

The Centre offers two attendance options: Term Time attendance and Extended Hours attendance.

Children can enrol during the IGS School Term (Term Time attendance) from 8:20am – 3:20pm daily, excluding Term break (school holidays) or they can attend the Centre year-round, inclusive of the school holiday period (Extended Hours attendance).

Children enrolled during extended hours are welcome to attend the Centre daily from 7:30am – 6:00pm including Term Break (school holidays). The Centre is closed for a three-week period at the end of each year.

Check Term Dates for more information.

How many days can I enrol my child?

You are welcome to enrol your child for two days (Monday and Tuesday), three days (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) or five days (Monday to Friday), pending availability. We do not offer casual days.

When is the Centre closed?

The Centre is closed on Public Holidays and on the first day of each term for Staff Professional Development Days. Families are not charged for these days.

What are the fees?

Detailed information regarding Early Learning Centre fees can be found on the IGS website here.

Can our family access the Child Care Subsidy?

Yes.The IGS Early Learning Centre is an approved child care service provider and eligible families can access Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Use this calculator to provide an estimate of what CCS payments will offset your daily fee, based on your family circumstances. Eligible families may also receive the NSW Government Start Strong for Long Day Care fee relief.

What is the application process for the IGS Early Learning program?

The first step in the application process is to complete a waitlist application here. Once families apply, the Centre assesses eligibility and an offer of enrolment is issued. Our admissions process continues throughout the year, or until all places are full. We encourage families to apply early for enrollment.

How will my child’s development be supported as they prepare to transition to Kindergarten?

As an Early Learning program in a school community, we involve children in their year prior to school in a variety of experiences to support their transition to and preparation for commencing school. The Centre has a close relationship with the IGS Primary School and the Head of Kindergarten to Year 2. Children transitioning to IGS Kindergarten have the opportunity to join the bespoke IGS Beginning to Belonging Kindergarten Transition Program in the latter part of the year. Children enrolled at IGS Early Learning Centre have priority enrolling at IGS Kindergarten.

Is food provided or do we need to pack lunch for our child?

Families provide morning tea and lunch for their child/ren (in separate containers). We have fridges available to store lunchboxes throughout the day. A catered afternoon tea is provided to children enrolled in the Extended Hours program. IGS Early Learning Centre is an allergy aware nut free centre. We ask that foods containing nuts are not brought to the Centre.

You are also welcome to order food from the school canteen during term time and the food will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Does my child need to be toilet trained in order to attend the IGS ELC?

No. We understand that young children are often still learning the process of toilet training around the time of commencement in the program at age 3 years. Each of our classrooms in the Early Learning Centre have children’s toilets and hand basins. We also have nappy change facilities.

Can I view the ELC policies?

Yes. Please contact early.learning@igssyd.nsw.edu.au for more information.

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Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you

We welcome your enquiries and look forward to connecting with you. Whether you’re a prospective family, current parent or carer, alum or member of the wider Community, we are here to help.

Email: early.learning@igssyd.nsw.edu.au

Phone: +61 2 9219 6700 (ext.6)