For many years, families have expressed a wish to begin their Tatachilla journey earlier – and soon, they will be able to.
With the announcement of a brand-new Early Learning Centre at the college, children will be welcomed into the Tatachilla community from as young as three years of age, stepping into a learning environment designed especially for curiosity, connection and discovery.
The purpose-built Early Learning Centre will cater for three- and four-year-olds, offering high-quality early childhood education within the unique semi-rural setting of the college on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.
Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework and grounded in play-based learning, the centre will nurture confidence, communication and a strong sense of belonging – laying the foundations for lifelong learning during these formative years.
Set within the Tatachilla campus, the new ELC will be closely connected to the natural environment that defines the college. Children will have regular access to outdoor and nature-based learning spaces, including the much-loved Tatachilla EcoSanctuary, encouraging them to explore, wonder and learn through play.
Purposefully designed for our youngest learners, the new ELC will include:
- Three spacious activity rooms
- A dedicated 12-place playgroup
- A welcoming shared dining space
- Convenient on-site parking for 22 vehicles
And outside, the learning will truly expand into nature.
With 1,183m² of generous green space, children will have room to run, imagine and discover in a richly layered natural environment designed to inspire movement and exploration.
A 160m² verandah – roughly the footprint of a large family home – will extend learning seamlessly outdoors. Here, children will have the opportunity to scoot along pathways, feel the breeze in their hair and carry their play and sense of discovery beyond the classroom walls.
College Principal Alison Thacker said the announcement marked an exciting new chapter for the Tatachilla community.
“The construction of our new ELC represents a transformational step in strengthening Tatachilla’s commitment to nurturing young people and supporting families from the earliest stages of education,” she said.
“This centre will allow us to nurture belonging, confidence and curiosity in children from their earliest years, while fostering meaningful partnerships with families at a pivotal time in each child’s development.”
The Tatachilla Early Learning Centre will open initially with 60 places, expanding over time, and is expected to welcome its first children in mid-2027.
Lodge an expression of interest at tatachilla.sa.edu.au/about/early-learning-centre