Centre details
ELC & VAC: 7AM - 6PM
ASC: 2:30 - 6PM

About the Campus
Nightcliff Campus is managed as a partnership between Child Australia and Nightcliff Primary School, and aims to support the Nightcliff community by providing education and care in an environment of learning and belonging.
At Nightcliff Early Learning Centre (ELC) and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), you will see the children learning through play at their own pace, complimented with intentional teaching strategies. Children are provided with the opportunity to connect with nature, take considered risks, and problem solve. They are supported to form friendships, learn about themselves and about other people.
We are proud of the strong attachments children form with our educators and how we help them to feel safe and secure on their own. Together we will develop goals for your children’s learning and development.
Children within the Nightcliff school zone area are prioritised for enrolment at both the Nightcliff Preschool and Primary School.
Our Outside School Hours Care
Nightcliff OSHC is a program that caters for more than 70 families attending Nightcliff Primary School, with children from local schools joining our vacation care program in the school holidays.
Our OSHC believes in enabling children to think of OSHC as an extension to family and feeling welcome and comfortable in their environment. The team do this by supporting and extending children’s ideas and to providing children with the autonomy to take ownership of their spaces. We continue to strengthen partnerships with our families and their involvement in our program.
Nightcliff OSHC is proud of achievements which include:
- A strong Partnership with the School
- Our high quality team of educators supporting children’s learning and development
- Our implemented staffing practices that demonstrate a positive impact on children and family engagement, program delivery and staff wellbeing.
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Our Campus Philosophy
- Our connections with families are honoured and we understand the importance of community.
- Our educators are caring and innovative.
- Our environments are purposeful places of exploration and discovery.
- Our curriculum is intentional, holistic and responsive. We provide respectful, age appropriate learning and care for your child.
- Our learning is visible.
- Our service is a place of belonging, learning, and play.
- We respect the land that we are part of
Our OSHC Philosophy
Nightcliff OSHC aims to provide safe, play –based programs for children in our school community. Our program goal is to positively enable all children to develop their full potential.
We offer an environment where children are encouraged to foster friendships. We provide opportunities to develop social skills, leadership qualities, confidence and resilience.
We aim to foster the concept of ownership of our service. Children are encouraged to share ideas and input into the program. Freedom of choice in experiences that encourage exploration and inquiry is balanced with an exciting program.Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour through the understanding of the reasons we have rules, understanding the consequences for their actions and an understanding of how actions and choices impact others.
We believe that each child should be included and valued for their unique qualities and backgrounds. We encourage children to express their thoughts, needs and feelings as individuals.
We value our families and community and encourage the interest and involvement of parents to share in, contribute and feel part of their child’s experience at the service. We believe that communication helps build partnerships with all our stakeholders.
We aim to foster awareness of our environment and community using sustainable practices, for example – using recycled materials and collecting funds for charities.
Any rules implemented at the service come from the core concept of RESPECT.
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Our OSHC Curriculum
Programs are built around the regular events of the day i.e. arrival, snacks etc, addressing the developmental needs of individual children, children with special needs, newly enrolling children entering the group and parental expectations. We encourage all children to participate in the arts and craft, sports, cooking and other set activities. Plenty of time is allowed each day for spontaneous play. A copy of the program is located in the OSHC room.
Nightcliff Primary School has joined up with Gardens Tennis
At OSHC we are able to access the sports provided by Gardens Tennis when they come to school. When available, we include this as a part of our program to help keep the children active and involved in sports.
Children who attend our service are actively encouraged to participate in programming, developing a range of activities that meet the developmental needs of all children. Parents are also encouraged to be involved.
Staff are responsible for creating an atmosphere and environment which is responsive to the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and special needs of each child and to the group as a whole, reflecting the philosophy and goals of our service.The program will include a range of indoor and outdoor learning experiences, activities include both: quiet and active times, individual, small groups and large groups. Any DVD, electronic games and computer use will be G Rated and PG rated will be pre-viewed for suitability (to accommodate older children in OSHC).
The basis of our Vacation Care service is for the children to enjoy their holiday. We aim to provide the children with adequate free time for unstructured, self-directed play as well as time for structured activities to meet individual and group needs. The After School Care program is displayed in the OSHC room. Vacation Care programs are sent out prior to the commencement of the service and also displayed in the OSHC room.
We invite you to have input into the program development, especially in relation to programmed activities, including excursions. Any feedback / suggestions you have can be discussed with staff and implemented where appropriate and possible. Alternatively any suggestions may be written in the communication booklet located next to the sign out book or you can email the OSHC Supervisor.
- Children with additional needs
We provide a program that actively encourages the inclusion of all children. This benefits both the child and other children who attend our service.
Children with additional needs may be eligible for additional support from the Children’s Inclusion Support (ISS) program.In the first instance please discuss with the OSHC Supervisor who will then arrange for a submission. The program allows us to be better equipped to meet the needs of each child and support them to meet the behaviour expectations of the service if appropriate support is in place.
- Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Learning appropriate behaviour is part of every child’s social development.
Our staff aim to help children to be responsible for their own behaviour and to develop an understanding of what is appropriate in different situations.
You are encouraged to discuss your child’s behaviour to ensure consistent behaviour expectations between home and the service. Our approach to children’s behaviour will be fair and reinforced consistently in a developmentally appropriate way.Children will be encouraged to settle their differences in a peaceful manner. Staff will focus on positive behaviour, providing praise and encouragement where appropriate. Wherever possible problems will be prevented before they arise due to close supervision. Behaviour expectations are consistent with our philosophy and based on RESPECT.
- Respect for other people, their property and the services property.
- Leaving the room only under adult supervision or with adult knowledge.
- Walking only inside the building, not running on concrete areas.
- No Hurting
Other guidelines set by the children in collaboration with the staff are displayed in the OSHC room.
We have a policy which outlines behaviour expectations in more details and we are happy to discuss this issue with you at any time.- Excursions
Children will be taken on excursions outside of the service as part of the planned activities of the service during Vacation Care.
Excursions are considered to be an integral part of the children’s program and will therefore be arranged to provide a broad range of learning experiences for children.For all excursions, written consent will be required from parents in the enrolment form. Excursions may be cancelled in some circumstances to ensure the safety of all (EG. in the presence of lightning, water activities will be cancelled).
Excursions will generally follow Child Australia policy and the National Education and Care Laws and guidelines. -
Our Vacation care program operates throughout the school holidays and offers exciting incursions and excursions.
For more information please see our Vacation Care program on our Facebook page, published one month prior to each vacation care period.
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Our OSHC Inclusions
Sunscreen | Yes |
In and excursions | No extra fees |
Pick-up for transition and preschool children | Yes |
Healthy afternoon tea | Yes, in line with the food guidelines |
Vacation care | Yes |
Activities, indoor and outdoor play, based on the children’s strengths and interests. | Yes |
Usage of outdoor area/facilities across the school | Yes |
OSHC Playground | Yes |
Sports offered (dodgeball, cricket and basketball) | Yes |
Indoor activities & experiences such as craft | Yes |
Many of our educators work in local schools | Yes |
Learning Program | My Time Our Place (MTOP) |
Educators qualifications | All staff have a Cert 3 or Diploma |
Ratio for children | 1:15 |
Our Facilities
Nightcliff Community ELC is located on the school grounds of Nightcliff Primary School. We have a modern, purpose built, 59 place service built in 2012.
Our age groups are based on the development of each child not necessarily the age of the child. When we transition children we do so under the guidance and consultation of our educators and our families. We provide extensive time to build relationships and familiarity with the room and educators the children will transition to and often a familiar educator will spend some time with the child during this process to ensure the child is feeling safe and secure.
Our outdoor spaces are grassy and natural, with plenty of trees and gardens to explore. The 0-3’s share a yard and the Kindy children have their own outdoor space which backs onto Nightcliff preschool. This enables us to visit the preschool yard and take care of their chickens and collect eggs in the school holidays.
Our partnership with the school allows for a very smooth transition to the preschool or to when children start school in Transition. Our Kindy children attend school assemblies, and have regular visits within the school grounds as part of their 4-5 years program.
Our teams operate under ratio for most of the day and this allows us to meet the needs of individual children while providing quality education and care. We have a large, fully grassed and shady communal courtyard that we call our ‘backyard’. This is a natural space where we come together to learn, play and discover. There are wooden benches where we encourage you to spend time with your children, or with us!
Testimonials
- “We love Nightcliff ELC. Our son has been attending since he was 18 months old and will be finishing up in January when he turns 5 and starts full time school. If he could attend the service forever, he would! The staff are loving and attentive - it is like a second home.”Maddie, mother of Mr O
- "We would like to express how amazing these years have been for our children to attend such a loving and enriched childcare. We have felt supported, safe and connected to our community due to all that you and the staff have done for us."Rominia, mother of Miss L & Mr R
- "I am super happy with our choice of centre, have loved showing my family about when they have visited and have recommended the centre to several other friends. I look forward to several more fun filled years ahead.”Rychelle, mother of Miss O