Clarendon Childrens Centre 410 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205

Welcome to Clarendon Children’s Centre! Located in South Melbourne on Clarendon Street, our establishment is a point of interest for families seeking the highest quality early education and care for their children. We pride ourselves on prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our children, and in 2021, we have achieved a third consecutive Excellent rating from ACECQA, a testament to our commitment to excellence.

At Clarendon Children’s Centre, we have a strong community that upholds our Statement of Commitment to Child Safety. We believe in encouraging and supporting children's learning and development, documenting their progress daily, and valuing their curiosity and creative expression. From the moment you walk through our doors, you will experience an environment of warmth, nurturing, and genuinely affectionate care.

Our dedicated and excellent educators are our biggest asset. We provide them with over-award pay and conditions, numerous opportunities for ongoing professional learning, and flexible working arrangements. We understand the importance of their role in shaping the lives of our children.

We also highly value the contributions of parents and strive to support them in their parenting journey. We offer information, advice, resources, and opportunities to establish new networks. Parents can actively participate in the social and organizational aspects of our Centre, forming lasting friendships with other families.

Clarendon Children’s Centre acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land where we operate and pays respect to elders – past, present, and emerging. We are committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment, free from discrimination based on race, sex, age, or disability. Social justice and addressing inequality are important values that we actively pursue.

We believe that children's early experiences have long-term implications for their learning and development. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality education and care in an inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant setting, centered on children's best interests and rights. We prioritize respectful, equitable, and meaningful relationships as we promote children's learning and development within a highly responsive, inclusive, and innovative learning community.

Family-educator partnerships are highly valued at Clarendon Children’s Centre. We embrace families through shared decision-making and provide support and resources. Our work is grounded in the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework, the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, and the national quality standards. We continuously draw on collective ideas and understandings about early childhood theories and research.

As a parent-managed co-operative, Clarendon Children’s Centre ensures that parents have a real say in the running of the Centre and the education and care their children receive. Educators also become members of the Co-operative and have input into the management and running of the Centre.

We offer an integrated program of full-time, part-time, or occasional care for up to 40 children aged 0-5 years. Priority is given to children whose parents live, work, and/or study in the City of Port Phillip. Our Centre operates from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and is closed on public holidays and for two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period.

We are thrilled to have been announced as the winner in Category 7: The Emeritus Professor Collette Tayler Excellence in Educational Leadership Award in the 2021 Victorian Early Education and Care Awards. This is the third time we have achieved this prestigious recognition, highlighting the incredible efforts of Team Clarendon.

We invite you to read a terrific article about the Nature Play action research project led by Sujata in the Adventure Room this year. It showcases our commitment to innovative and engaging learning experiences.

Our Centre Co-ordinator plays a vital role in supporting parents and staff, welcoming new families, overseeing the welfare of all children, carrying out administrative functions, implementing the decisions of the Management Committee, overseeing the budget, and promoting the Centre as a community service.

At Clarendon Children’s Centre, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive environment where children can thrive. Join our community and experience the exceptional care and education we offer.