Early Childhood Centre
Pre-Kindy to Year Two
From curious steps to confident strides, every day is an exciting journey for our little learners!
Welcome to the Early Childhood Centre at Great Southern Grammar – a place where your child’s learning journey begins with warmth, wonder and meaningful connection.
We believe that the best learning happens in partnership with families and we work closely with you to nurture your child’s unique strengths and spark their natural curiosity.
Our safe, engaging and inclusive environment is thoughtfully designed to support exploration, creativity and joy. Every day, your child is welcomed as their whole, beautiful self and encouraged to learn through play, discovery and relationships. At every stage, we tailor learning to your child’s interests, creating spaces and experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Where Childhood Leads Learning
At the heart of our philosophy is a deep respect for the rich potential every child holds. We believe that children are naturally curious, capable and unique individuals. With a careful blend of inquiry, explicit teaching and play, children make sense of their world.
Each child grows in their own time and way, bringing their own rhythm to the learning journey. We view children as active participants in their development, never underestimating their ideas or abilities. In safe, nurturing environments where relationships and belonging matter, children are empowered to explore, connect and grow with confidence and joy.
More Than a Classroom: A Place to Belong
The educator and environment play vital roles in nurturing every child's learning journey. Educators are caring, approachable role models who celebrate achievements, co-regulate emotions and advocate for each child, ensuring they feel seen, safe and valued. We partner with children to co-construct knowledge through meaningful experiences.
The environment acts as a welcoming, inclusive and engaging learning facilitator. It offers warm, culturally respectful spaces that provoke curiosity and support all learners. Thoughtfully designed spaces invite exploration and connection, ensuring every child feels a sense of belonging. Together, educators and the environment create a foundation where children thrive, grow and are truly understood. Nature play at the Wild Space enriches learning, encouraging exploration, resilience and creativity.
Early Childhood & Primary School Tour
New Kindergarten Offering in 2026
We are very pleased to share some wonderful news regarding Kindergarten in 2026.
In response to increasing demand and our commitment to offering high-quality Early Years education, Great Southern Grammar will be introducing two Kindergarten programme options from 2026:
• 3-day Kindergarten – $3,596 per year ($899 per term) Three-day Kindergarten will operate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
• 5-day Kindergarten – $5,996 per year ($1,499 per term)
Two Kindergarten options give families genuine choice while ensuring children experience consistent care in one place, rather than moving back and forth between daycare and school each week. This stability helps children feel secure, fosters deeper friendships and enables them to thrive within a predictable routine. With more time together, children can immerse themselves in outdoor learning, imaginative play and meaningful experiences that nurture their confidence, wellbeing and love of learning.
This development represents an exciting step forward in our Early Years provision, providing families with greater choice as they prepare for their child’s next learning journey beyond Pre-Kindergarten.
A detailed FAQ sheet can be found below.
The space to explore or A Place to Wonder
At Great Southern Grammar, nature is woven into the heart of our Early Childhood programme. Children regularly venture into our dedicated Wild Space, engaging in rich, varied learning experiences that honour both their childhood and the land on which we learn.
Surrounded by 144 acres of bushland, open spaces and the shoreline of Miaritch / Oyster Harbour, each visit offers opportunities to explore, inquire, imagine and connect. Through nature play, storytelling and hands-on discovery, children develop a deep respect for Country and a meaningful connection to the world around them. These moments of adventure are more than play; they are the heart of learning, where curiosity is nurtured, resilience is built and childhood is celebrated.
Together in Learning
We believe delivering the best education means walking alongside families as partners in every child’s journey. Our welcoming, open-door approach fosters strong communication and trust. We celebrate each family and integrate children's interests into adaptive, meaningful programs guided by enthusiastic, invested educators. A strong school community is built through collaboration, connections, and shared purpose. We value transparent communication about children’s progress, ensuring families feel informed and involved. By honouring the voices of both children and their families, we create an environment where learning is joyful, responsive and deeply connected.
Meet Hayley Ranger - Head of Early Childhood / Teacher
Hayley recently participated in our Behind the Blackboard series, where we shine a spotlight on GSG staff and their stories.
You can learn more about our team in the Staff Spotlight section of the website.
Meet Hayley Ranger
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the days and hours for each year level in the Early Childhood Centre (ECC)?
Our Early Childhood Centre daily schedule:
Classroom doors open at 8.30am, with friendly staff providing supervision in the foyer from 8.10am.
Djinda programme: Thursdays and Fridays
Kindergarten 3-day programme: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Kindergarten Full-time Programme: Mondays to Fridays
Pre-Primary to Year Two: Full-time, Mondays to Fridays
How do you keep families informed about their child’s learning and progress?
We are proud of the strong connections and open communication we share with our families.
Our teachers are approachable and available at classroom doors each morning and afternoon, ensuring warm and personal handovers. Classroom diaries provide a valuable bridge between home and school, allowing teachers to share insights about your child’s day, while allowing parents to pass on important information.
We also utilise SEQTA, our secure online platform, to keep families informed about their child's academic progress, as well as share photographs and videos that capture the rich learning journey of each child.
What is the enrolment process at Great Southern Grammar?
At GSG, we value every child’s unique journey, which is why we approach each enrolment with care and individual attention. Our friendly enrolments team will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring it is smooth and supportive.
Your family will be warmly invited to meet the Head of the Early Childhood Centre, providing a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know both you and your child. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus and partnering with you as you begin this special chapter in your child’s learning journey.
What makes Great Southern Grammar the right choice for our family?
At Great Southern Grammar, it is not about being different; it is more about what we do so well. We are deeply committed to creating a place where children feel safe, valued and inspired. Our strength lies in the genuine care we show every child and family, the open and respectful communication we foster and the sense of community and belonging we build together.
We believe strong relationships are at the heart of a great education. Our passionate teachers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience and they are lifelong learners themselves, always growing, reflecting and refining their practice to give each child the best start. At GSG, we invest in people, connection and the joy of learning.
In what ways does the ECC foster friendships and connections between the youngest and oldest students, creating a strong sense of belonging across the whole school?
One of the most wonderful parts of Great Southern Grammar is that we are a Kindy to Year Twelve school, creating many rich opportunities for our littlest learners to form connections and friendships with older students. These special relationships are fostered through:
Concerts and performances - where younger and older students come together to share their talents and celebrate achievements
House days - building team spirit and cross-age friendships through fun, inclusive activities
Service learning projects - where students of all ages work side-by-side to contribute to the wider community
Mentoring and buddy programs - with older students guiding, supporting and inspiring our youngest learners
Shared school events - such as assemblies, Book Week parades and special celebrations that unite the whole school
These experiences help create a strong sense of belonging and connection across all year levels at GSG.
Great Southern Grammar acknowledges that the land upon which we learn, play and grow is Menang land, whose traditional custodians are the Noongar people. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that their sovereignty was never ceded.