The Flinders Early Learning Centre (FELC) supports 120 families with children from three-to six-years of age through creative Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. Located in a beautiful rainforest setting in Buderim, Queensland, FELC is a licensed Child Care Centre operating 48 weeks of the year.
FELC delivers compassionate and caring play-based programs in natural environments inspired by the child-centred Reggio Emilia experience to ensure the learning is inviting, fun and creative.
In August 2023, FELC received a glowing accreditation and rating report, exceeding expectations in all seven areas of the National Quality Standards.
Quality Educators
Our early learning programs are taught by a caring, committed and responsive team of four-year university-trained early childhood teachers supported by early learning assistants with a minimum training of two years. Led by Director Jo Osborne, our team possess a deep understanding of how young children learn.
Our FELC philosophy values PLAY as an instrument in stimulating and shaping child development and early learning.
Our Values
Play: Our programs are based on and inspired by current research on play and enquiry, brain-based learning, and Dimensions of Learning, for example.
Nature: Children are guided to explore the natural environment through our Bush Kindy Program, Community Garden Project, Flinders Farm visits and rainforest gardens. At FELC, we are mindful to engage the young child’s five senses, provoking wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement.
The Reggio Emilia Influence
FELC’s passion for personalising the Reggio Emilia experience has driven our teaching team to create an environment that is inviting, fun, creative and most importantly, child-centred. Light-filled classrooms offer flexible learning spaces, access to outdoor learning areas and rainforest gardens, art studios, writing centres, discovery areas, reading nooks, interactive whiteboards and the latest in information technology.
Learning Through Play
Through planned and spontaneous play experiences, children form relationships, share, co-operate, develop self-control, test ideas and friendships, extend their range of experience and form associations among things, events and concepts. Our program has developed a balance between child-centred and adult-led play, plus we value extended blocks of time for children to make discoveries, to elaborate on projects, and to evolve a script in symbolic play.
Bush Kindy
FELC’s hugely popular Bush Kindy Program sees small groups of 10 children at a time, along with two specialist teachers, explore and engage in the wetlands forest that runs between FELC and Matthew Flinders Anglican College. On their outings, the children have been busy – mapping the forest space, considering the natural landmarks and any distinguishing features, identifying the flora and fauna, and revelling in the pure and simple wonder of nature.
Hours & Fees
Licensed for 48 weeks of the year (Closed over Christmas and New Year period for four weeks)
Pre-Kindergarten programs: 8:45am–3:15pm
3-Day Kindergarten programs: 8:30am–3:15pm
2-Day Kindergarten programs: 8:00am–3:30pm
Before-session care: 7:30am–8:00am
After-session care: 3:30pm–6:00pm
Daily Fees (from 1 January 2024)
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: $135.00 per day
(Please note: FELC is part of the Queensland Government's 'Free Kindy' initiative.)
Contact Us
For more information and tours, please contact:
Jo Osborne
Director, Flinders Early Learning Centre
Address: 144 Ballinger Road, Buderim, Qld, 4556
Phone: (07) 5477 2999
Email: earlylearning@mfac.edu.au
