Our program provides a nurturing and safe environment for children ages 3 to 5 to explore, learn, and grow. We are guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church and uses values of Respect, Encouragement and Care to guide practice. We see genuine family partnerships and an authentic connection to community as influential to define who we are and who we want to become. We value children as confident, resilient and capable learners, believing that a play-based approach leads to best possible outcomes.
We appreciate that children arrive at our service with their own unique funds of knowledge, languages, skills and strengths. We strive to build on these foundations, by respecting children’s rights and dignity and empower them to take responsibility for their actions, environment and appreciate the impact that strong friendships have in shaping their identity. Our learning program has at its heart, children’s interests, curiosities, imaginings and investigations as we endeavour to be holistic in supporting each child’s individual learning journey.
Ambrose Early Learning delivers a high-quality educational experience through our Ambrose Foundations Pre-Kindergarten Program, a two-year program designed for children aged 3–5 years.
This program:
Strong literacy foundations begin with language, communication and connection. Children develop literacy skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect learning to their everyday lives, interests and the natural world.
As part of the Catholic school community, Ambrose supports literacy development through a seamless continuum of learning from early childhood into kindergarten and the early years of school.
Through intentional play-based learning and literacy experiences, children build the confidence, communication skills and early learning foundations that support a successful transition into school.
This approach fosters the development of:
At Ambrose, mathematical thinking is developed through intentional play-based learning, inquiry, investigation and hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, question and problem solve.
The Ambrose Foundations program supports children’s learning about mathematical concepts and applying them in their play and inquiries including STEAM experiences, construction, investigation and collaborative learning.
Children become familiar with:
Teachers intentionally plan for children’s Mathematical Inquiry and thinking, supporting children to develop:
At Ambrose, children are part of a connected Catholic school community where relationships, belonging and wellbeing are intentionally nurtured every day.
Grounded in the values of respect, encouragement and care, our nurturing learning environments support children to feel:
Social and emotional learning is embedded throughout the day through:
Through intentional play-based learning, structured routines and shared experiences, children develop:
At Ambrose, transition to school is viewed as a gradual and supportive journey where children build confidence, familiarity and a sense of belonging before their first day of school.
Throughout the year, educators intentionally support children to develop:
Families are supported throughout the transition process through:
Grounded in the Catholic faith and open to all, our learning communities welcome families from all backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions.
Guided by the values of Respect, Encouragement and Care, educators support children to:
Faith and spirituality are experienced in age-appropriate and meaningful ways through:
Educators nurture children’s natural sense of curiosity, wonder and connection to the world around them while supporting them to grow as caring, thoughtful and respectful individuals.
As part of a Catholic community, children experience opportunities to build connections with:
Strong literacy foundations begin with language, communication and connection. Children develop literacy skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect learning to their everyday lives, interests and the natural world.
As part of the Catholic school community, Ambrose supports literacy development through a seamless continuum of learning from early childhood into kindergarten and the early years of school.
Through intentional play-based learning and literacy experiences, children build the confidence, communication skills and early learning foundations that support a successful transition into school.
This approach fosters the development of:
At Ambrose, mathematical thinking is developed through intentional play-based learning, inquiry, investigation and hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, question and problem solve.
The Ambrose Foundations program supports children’s learning about mathematical concepts and applying them in their play and inquiries including STEAM experiences, construction, investigation and collaborative learning.
Children become familiar with:
Teachers intentionally plan for children’s Mathematical Inquiry and thinking, supporting children to develop:
At Ambrose, children are part of a connected Catholic school community where relationships, belonging and wellbeing are intentionally nurtured every day.
Grounded in the values of respect, encouragement and care, our nurturing learning environments support children to feel:
Social and emotional learning is embedded throughout the day through:
Through intentional play-based learning, structured routines and shared experiences, children develop:
At Ambrose, transition to school is viewed as a gradual and supportive journey where children build confidence, familiarity and a sense of belonging before their first day of school.
Throughout the year, educators intentionally support children to develop:
Families are supported throughout the transition process through:
Grounded in the Catholic faith and open to all, our learning communities welcome families from all backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions.
Guided by the values of Respect, Encouragement and Care, educators support children to:
Faith and spirituality are experienced in age-appropriate and meaningful ways through:
Educators nurture children’s natural sense of curiosity, wonder and connection to the world around them while supporting them to grow as caring, thoughtful and respectful individuals.
As part of a Catholic community, children experience opportunities to build connections with:
Strong literacy foundations begin with language, communication and connection. Children develop literacy skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect learning to their everyday lives, interests and the natural world.
As part of the Catholic school community, Ambrose supports literacy development through a seamless continuum of learning from early childhood into kindergarten and the early years of school.
Through intentional play-based learning and literacy experiences, children build the confidence, communication skills and early learning foundations that support a successful transition into school.
At Ambrose, mathematical thinking is developed through intentional play-based learning, inquiry, investigation and hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, question and problem solve.
The Ambrose Foundations program supports children’s learning about mathematical concepts and applying them in their play and inquiries including STEAM experiences, construction, investigation and collaborative learning.
Children become familiar with:
Teachers intentionally plan for children’s Mathematical Inquiry and thinking, supporting children to develop:
At Ambrose, children are part of a connected Catholic school community where relationships, belonging and wellbeing are intentionally nurtured every day.
Grounded in the values of respect, encouragement and care, our nurturing learning environments support children to feel:
Social and emotional learning is embedded throughout the day through:
Through intentional play-based learning, structured routines and shared experiences, children develop:
At Ambrose, transition to school is viewed as a gradual and supportive journey where children build confidence, familiarity and a sense of belonging before their first day of school.
Throughout the year, educators intentionally support children to develop:
Families are supported throughout the transition process through:
Grounded in the Catholic faith and open to all, our learning communities welcome families from all backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions.
Guided by the values of Respect, Encouragement and Care, educators support children to:
Faith and spirituality are experienced in age-appropriate and meaningful ways through:
Educators nurture children’s natural sense of curiosity, wonder and connection to the world around them while supporting them to grow as caring, thoughtful and respectful individuals.
As part of a Catholic community, children experience opportunities to build connections with:
Ambrose Early Learning St John XXIII’s Social and Emotional capacity building program is designed to innovatively scaffold children’s learning aligning with core values of Respect, Encouragement and Care.
As children begin the transition into kindergarten, we look to accompany foundational skills of literacy and numeracy, with life skills of being a strong, active member of community and appreciating the wonder that is each child. These sessions focus on topics such as child safety, community outreach projects, building emotional resilience and equipping children with effective strategies to navigate social contexts. The program aligns with the Child Safe Standards, the Early Years Learning Framework curriculum, the National Quality Standards and our Catholic ethos and is designed to empower children with confidence and creative critical thinking, through hands on learning means and lively discussions.
Teaching children about a healthy lifestyle builds a critical foundation for lifelong physical and mental wellbeing.
Therefore, a targeted component of our daily routine includes an intentional focus on being physically active, building strength, resilience, endurance, spatial awareness and co-ordination through refining whole-body movements such as hopping, jumping, catching, throwing and running. Children are divided into smaller groups to allow educators to offer guidance and support to each child individually, to facilitate receptive language capabilities of following instructions, turn taking and encourage child-to-child peer mentorship.
This program’s effectiveness in complying with the 24-hour movement guidelines for 0 to 5 years was recognised by the NSW Department of Health – Munch and Move.
At Ambrose Early Learning St John XXIII there is a continual strong focus on building respectful, collaborative partnerships with families and the wider community.
It is understood that these partnerships are foundational for quality early childhood education and care to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing. In this, we strive to share knowledge about child development and provide tailored support to families as they navigate their own individual journey. The service offers after hours parent information sessions for families to network with educators, each other and industry experts in child development. These are supplemented by educator / parent meetings to maintain open, transparent lines of communication. The service has a robust relationship with the St John XXIII community, where the preschool participates in Book week parade, Easter hat parade, events organised by the P & F and ongoing library visits. This engagement is seen to build confidence and familiarity with the school environment.
In line with our service philosophy, educators appreciate the value of connecting to land and exploring the notion of the complex web of relationships where every living organism and system relies on one another to survive and thrive.
Many opportunities are seen to be available through providing agency for children to design, create and maintain natural spaces, via hands on projects and inquiry-based practice. At Ambrose Early Learning St John XXIII, we encourage children to collaborate with educators to examine how we directly rely on natural networks for clean drinking water, breathable air, climate regulation, and food production. We investigate the psychological benefits of fostering a personal subjective sense of interconnectedness with nature and more widely the global impact of recognising that this bond shifts how we view environmental action.
Located conveniently within the grounds of St John XXIII Catholic College, our preschool children benefit from early introductions to school life through experiences such as library visits, meeting kindergarten teachers, and participating in school events. These opportunities support a smooth transition into kindergarten, fostering continuity, connection, and a strong sense of belonging for children, families, and staff.
St John XXIII Catholic College is a vibrant and contemporary school offering quality education for students. It offers a dynamic learning community where each individual is valued, supported to flourish, and reach their full potential. It is place where tradition and innovation combine to create transformative educational experiences.
More information: St John XXIII Catholic College
“At St John XXIII Catholic College, we deeply value the partnership with the Ambrose Early Learning Centre, located on our campus, as an integral part of our learning community. This close connection provides children with rich and authentic experiences of school life – engaging with our facilities, interacting with staff, and participating in aspects of College life. Being onsite allows for a natural sense of familiarity and belonging to develop, ensuring that each child transitions into Primary school with confidence, continuity, and a genuine sense of connection to our community.”
Frank Chiment – Principal
We love preparing and serving nutritious, delicious meals for children. Our on‑site cook follows the Australian Healthy Eating Guidelines to ensure all meals meet children’s dietary needs. We thoughtfully plan a rotating four‑week menu that supports healthy growth and development.
We also work closely with families to understand each child’s specific dietary needs, allergies, and medical conditions, creating plans to ensure every child’s safety and wellbeing.
We value open communication with families, as it strengthens the support we provide for each child’s growth. Your knowledge of your child is essential, and we aim to build a partnership that fosters a sense of belonging for you and your child. We keep families informed and connected through regular updates via Xplor CCMS, Xplor Playground, newsletters, emails, and phone calls. Throughout the year, families are also invited to join events, share their skills, and contribute to the program, helping ensure each child receives the best possible care.
We are committed to providing the best possible support for every child. To support children’s access to our programs, our service works in partnership with families and allied health professional to develop individual education programs for our children. Support may also be available through the Inclusion Support Program (ISP) which provides funding to address inclusion barriers and specialist equipment where required.
We embrace and celebrate the diversity that exists within and between our communities. By respecting diversity, children are supported to create positive relationships and a strong sense of identity. We invite our families to share their culture, experiences, and unique needs so all children feel safe, included, and confident to participate.
We are committed to upholding the Child Safe Standards to ensure every child feels safe, valued, and empowered. Our practices place children’s wellbeing at the centre of all decisions, and we actively work to create an environment where their voices are heard and respected. By fostering strong, transparent relationships with families and embedding child‑safe principles in our daily work, we strive to maintain a learning community where children are protected, supported, and able to thrive.
Use our CCS calculator to estimate your out‑of‑pocket costs.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can reduce your daily out-of-pocket costs by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.
Important: This calculator is provided as a guide only and is dependent on the accuracy of information entered. The actual Child Care Subsidy you receive may differ. All calculations incorporate the Federal Government’s 5% withholding amount. Changes in entitlements can occur between estimation and commencement of care. Subsidy is subject to State and Federal Government specific requirements. Fees may reduce further after Start Strong Fee Relief is applied. For the most accurate estimate, visit myGov or contact your local Family Assistance Office.
Estimated weekly out-of-pocket by session length and days per week.
Grounded in the Catholic faith and open to all, our learning communities welcome families from all backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions.
Guided by the values of Respect, Encouragement and Care, educators support children to:
Faith and spirituality are experienced in age-appropriate and meaningful ways through:
Educators nurture children’s natural sense of curiosity, wonder and connection to the world around them while supporting them to grow as caring, thoughtful and respectful individuals.
As part of a Catholic community, children experience opportunities to build connections with:
At Ambrose, transition to school is viewed as a gradual and supportive journey where children build confidence, familiarity and a sense of belonging before their first day of school.
Throughout the year, educators intentionally support children to develop:
Families are supported throughout the transition process through:
At Ambrose, children are part of a connected Catholic school community where relationships, belonging and wellbeing are intentionally nurtured every day.
Grounded in the values of respect, encouragement and care, our nurturing learning environments support children to feel:
Social and emotional learning is embedded throughout the day through:
Through intentional play-based learning, structured routines and shared experiences, children develop:
At Ambrose, mathematical thinking is developed through intentional play-based learning, inquiry, investigation and hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, question and problem solve.
The Ambrose Foundations program supports children’s learning about mathematical concepts and applying them in their play and inquiries including STEAM experiences, construction, investigation and collaborative learning.
Children become familiar with:
Teachers intentionally plan for children’s Mathematical Inquiry and thinking, supporting children to develop:
Strong literacy foundations begin with language, communication and connection. Children develop literacy skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect learning to their everyday lives, interests and the natural world.
As part of the Catholic school community, Ambrose supports literacy development through a seamless continuum of learning from early childhood into kindergarten and the early years of school.
Through intentional play-based learning and literacy experiences, children build the confidence, communication skills and early learning foundations that support a successful transition into school.
