Professor Lynn Corcoran Early Learning Centre: FROEBEL Parkville

The Professor Lynn Corcoran Early Learning Centre: FROEBEL Parkville is a not-for-profit early learning centre with an integrated funded Kindergarten Program, located in the heart of the biomedical precinct in Parkville, next to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Our centre caters for 100 children aged 6 months to 5 years of age and stretches over 5 levels which have been architecturally designed. Each level provides stimulating and age-appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces, and on our ground-floor level our children can participate in cooking and baking experiences with our in-house chef. 

Our philosophy is rooted in progressive ideas developed by Friedrich Froebel, the renowned educator who shaped the kindergarten concept almost 200 years ago. His holistic approach to early learning inspires us even today: child-centred, play-based, in unity with nature.

Our educational program focusses on inquiry-based learning with our Little Scientists program igniting children’s natural curiosity and encouraging them to explore the world surrounding them, thereby fostering their independence and self-esteem. Part of our STEM learning program is implemented during excursions for all our age-groups to the local surrounds and beyond – we are so lucky to have beautiful parks nearby.

A number of our educators are German speakers and implement our immersive language learning program with German as a second community language. They speak with the children in German throughout the day, alongside their English-speaking colleagues, allowing children to pick up the new language very naturally. Supported is our immersive language learning program by German books, songs, games, routines and we also celebrate German traditions such as our annual lantern walk, alongside Australian events and traditions from our diverse team of educators.

We also focus on sustainability at our service, implemented through practices such as providing wet bags and eco-friendly nappies. Education for Sustainable Development is a part of our teaching, with projects such as our Recycling Tree or participating in Clean-up Day.