Alpha Children's Centre has co-ordinated programs that are based on activities aimed at the development of cognitive, physical, psychological and social abilities of the children.

The children participate in various activities/experiences, for example cutting and pasting, role-playing, storytelling, climbing, balancing, running and throwing a ball.  Activities such as finger-painting, drawing, playing with clay, sand and water, assist with fine muscle development.

These activities, as well as many others, aid the development of:

• social skills

• creativity and imagination

• muscle and body co-ordination

• mathematical concepts (cognition)

• language skills

A culturally relevant and bilingual program ensures that the service reflects, accommodates and reinforces the different cultural backgrounds of the families using and / or participating in the activities of the Centre.

The identity of the Greek culture is maintained by the appointment of staff who conduct a bilingual program which provides the opportunity for children to develop skills in both the Greek and English language. Learning with computers: Information Technology is an important part of pre-school education.

The children are able to play with other children of their own age in a warm and secure environment which offers them a stimulating and multifaceted educational program.
The children are offered the opportunity:

• To come together with other children of their own age, learn and develop their social

   abilities and their language skills.
• To enjoy and experiment with different games and to explore new environments

   within the room as well as outside.
• To develop creativity, imagination and learning abilities through the various games

   and activities.

The staff of the Centre aim to satisfy the personal needs of children and the expectation of parents; this can only be achieved through close partnership with parents. The program has a "quiet-time" period. After lunch, children sleep or have a quiet rest for approximately two hours. Parents are encouraged to discuss with staff their child's sleeping routine.

Alpha Children’s Centre is registered with the Victorian Department of Human Services. The Centre has received the highest level of the Quality Improvement and Accreditation System’s Rating (3 years) in 1998.

Parent fees that are means tested also form an essential part of the centre's income.

The Centre provides full-time long day care program and a kindergarten program for 50 pre-school children and operates on an extended hours basis, opening at 7.00 a.m. and closing at 6.00 p.m. sharp, Monday to Friday. The Centre does not open on public holidays and is closed for 3 weeks over the Christmas period.

Notification will be given well ahead of all these closing times so that you can make other child care arrangements if necessary.