Why Do we
do what we do
At SHBELC, we are your child’s “home away from home”! Known and loved within our local community for decades (yes, since the 1930s!), we totally get what babies, toddlers, and kindergarten children need to blossom and grow. Our playful environment supports parents in giving their little ones a fabulous and positive kick-start during those oh-so-important early years.
Here at SHBELC, we’re all about Community Connection, offering inclusive programs that make everyone feel like part of the family. Our Christian values are the heart and soul of everything we do, ensuring every child’s needs are front and centre and the importance of family is truly honored.
We embrace our community with open arms, weaving our values into every interaction and making sure we treat everyone with respect, integrity, and a big scoop of empathy. Our teamwork is strong – we chat, collaborate, and make decisions as one big happy family!
With open arms, we welcome children from six months to school age, and we believe early learning is an exciting adventure—not just plain old childcare!
Our goal? To consistently surpass national quality standards in care and education, giving your little ones a nurturing environment where they can thrive – not just for the next step in their learning adventure, but for life itself!
In our safe and nurturing space, curiosity runs wild, concepts are explored, and discoveries are celebrated. We’re committed to helping your child achieve incredible learning outcomes that set them on the path to success. Plus, our seamless transition from the Early Years Learning Hub to our funded three and four-year-old Kindergarten Programs ensures a smooth journey for every child. Come join us in crafting beautiful memories together!
At SHBELC, we believe that children are at the heart of our community, and our commitment to their care reflects our dedication to the bigger picture. Together, let's celebrate the amazing uniqueness of every child and strive for excellence in both care and education!
Our Vision for your children
To strive for excellence in care and education, to prepare children for life.
Our mission for SHBELC
To be recognised as a leading Christian early childhood service and centre of choice for families committed to their children achieving their full potential. Through high quality teaching, in a nurturing and stimulating environment children will be encouraged to develop a passion for learning, respect for others and a love of life.
Do our values align?
Believing that children are central to our society and that our care for children reflects care for the broader community, SHBELC supports children and families, strives for excellence in care and education, and celebrates the unique importance of children.
Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre (SHBELC) is therefore committed to:
Individuality
Parents
Respecting the dignity and uniqueness of individuals, including differences in culture, home values, ability, socio economic circumstance and religious practices amongst Centre families.
Individuality is important, how do we put this value into practice?
Providing resources that support and enhance them in their role.
We are not all words, check out our family support section, let’s work together!
Christian principles
Sustainability
Practicing Christian principles in all aspects of the Centre’s operation particularly to present to children the goodness, love and grace of God in ways that are natural and relevant to them.
Go on, check out our history and principle which make ups who we are:
To be sustainable in our practices and to implement environmentally friendly procedures.
We are still learning but are proud of our progress so far, check out what we’re up to:
Community
Program
Fostering a strong sense of community that supports and enhances the quality of life of all who attend the Centre through activities that encourage interaction between children, families, staff, volunteers, committee members and the Board of Management.
So how is community fostered exactly?
Providing and promoting quality care and education for children which is a meaningful and creative experience for them, their parents and staff.
We put much thought and care into our programs, keen to learn more?
We commit to:
Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre prioritises the safety of children and adults and will not tolerate abuse, harm, racism or discrimination of any kind. We are explicitly committed to the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
At all times, we are committed to listen to and empower all children within the service, to speak and act if they feel they are being treated inappropriately.
The indoor and outdoor environments, programs and interactions between and any individuals will always prioritise inclusion and protect children at all times.
Acknowledgement of Country
We thank God for the creation of all things. The children, educators, staff and families of Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre are ever grateful for this nurturing place of faith and early learning.
We recognise the Wurundjeri people as the first educators of children on this site and we further embrace Aboriginal culture into our curriculum.
We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the traditional occupants and custodians of this land and for the spiritual connection they have with country.
This is our nation, a land of many. This is our hope, to walk as one. This is our future, as children leas the way. This is Australia, this is our home.
