At Highgate Early Learning Centre, we value Community, pride ourselves in creating and nurturing a connected community of parents, children and staff. Our emphasis on community differentiates us from privately run centres. The essence of Highgate is captured in its motto:
"Where the community spirit shines"
Our story
Welcome to Highgate Early Learning Centre (HELC), which is a community based, not for profit run childcare centre, based in the picturesque suburb of Ashburton.
At Highgate Early Learning Centre, we value Community. Highgate prides itself in creating and nurturing a connected community of parents, children and staff. Our emphasis on community differentiates us from privately run centres. The essence of Highgate is captured in its motto: ‘Where the community spirit shines’.
Our logo symbolises children’s growth from infancy to the preschool years, as they put down roots into the community and blossom into confident, caring and independent
individuals. The four stars represent the four levels of care Highgate offers and seeks to capture the children’s progression as we guide and support them in their development; we invite and inspire curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm, imagination and a love of learning.
We respectfully acknowledge the continuing Custodians of the Land on which we, our community, learn, play and work – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.
We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging and we draw on their continuing spiritual connection to culture, land, water and community.
Community Managed Service
Officially opened in August 1986, our centre is a not-for-profit community managed centre for children 4 months to school age. We run a 3- and 4-year-old Kindergarten program and offer long day care with a capacity of 55. We are managed by a voluntary parent committee with an employed Centre Director who manages day to day operations.
All parent contributions are highly valued. We encourage parents to take an active role in developing the Centre either by joining the Committee of Management, Sub-Committees and/or attending working bees. There are a range of opportunities to socialise with other families at various functions throughout the year, which fosters a sense of community between children, parents, educators, and employees.
We pride ourselves on the exemplary standard of care and education we offer to the community with the support of Boroondara Council, Government agencies (State and Federal) and the local community to ensure we maintain our high level of care and education in line with our philosophy and legislative requirements.
Our centre has been accredited as part of the Federal Government’s Quality and Improvement System, which allows the centre to access Commonwealth Childcare Assistance. The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) oversees this process and monitors the implementation of the National Quality Standards and Regulations.
Highgate was assessed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in July 2023 and was rated as Exceeding NQS in all seven quality areas with an overall rating of Exceeding National Quality Standards.
The new National Quality Standard is divided into seven areas:
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Educational program and practice
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Children’s health and safety
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Physical environment
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Staffing arrangements (including the number of staff looking after children)
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Relationships with children
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Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
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Governance and Leadership
To ensure that Highgate continues to improve its programs and service, we systematically review and evaluate each of the seven quality areas and formulate on-going improvement plans.