A Commitment to Excellence
At Woodleigh, we take pride in achieving and maintaining an ‘Exceeding’ rating in all seven quality standard areas set by the National Quality Framework (NQF) at both of our Minimbah and Penbank Early Childhood Centres. The NQF provides a national approach to regulation, assessment and quality improvement for all services in Australia, and this rating reflects our dedication to offering the highest standards of early childhood education.
Woodleigh’s Early Childhood Centre (ECC) is our youngest learners’ home away from home.
We have two Primary School Campuses on the Mornington Peninsula: Penbank and Minimbah. Both run the same ECC3 and ECC4 program.
Our Centres are warm and welcoming environments where children are encouraged to be themselves, be comfortable with friends and teachers and explore the world at their own pace.
In these early years, a sense of belonging matters deeply. At Woodleigh, we take time to truly know each child and their interests, listening to their ideas and always responding with care. Through play, connection and shared experiences, children feel secure, confident and free to explore, laying the groundwork for developing a strong sense of self.
| 2026 | Campus | ECC3 | ECC4 | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimbah | Thursday, Friday | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 9am - 3pm | |
| Penbank | Monday, Tuesday | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 9am - 3pm |
| 2027 | Campus | ECC3 | ECC4 | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimbah | Thursday, Friday | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 9am - 3pm | |
| Penbank | Monday, Tuesday | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 9am - 3pm |
What does a day in the life of ECC at Woodleigh look like?
It looks like familiar faces and warm welcomes to begin their days, time to settle in with friends and gentle routines that help everyone transition into a day away from home.
From there, learning begins through purposeful play and inquiry – sometimes it's the outdoor exploration of bushland and creek spaces, building cubbies, observing insects or working together to solve problems from games and inventiveness. Other days, we’re indoors, in our comfortable learning spaces, drawing, constructing, reading, experimenting or continuing investigations sparked earlier in their ECC week. Educators move alongside, asking and answering questions, documenting learning and building on ideas in collaborative and responsive ways.
Independence, collaboration and joy, nurturing confident learners who feel known, capable and excited about what tomorrow might bring. These are the early days of their journey through to young adulthood. You can see what that looks like at Woodleigh here.
Early Childhood Centre FAQs
Is Woodleigh’s ECC the same as Kinder and Pre-Prep?
Yes. ECC stands for Early Childhood Centre, which is what we call our early learning programs at Minimbah and Penbank. Three-year-old ECC is what most families would call three-year-old kinder. Four-year-old ECC is Pre-Prep – the year before Foundation.
How many days per week does ECC run at Woodleigh?
ECC3 runs two days per week at each Junior Campus.
ECC4 runs four days per week at each Junior Campus, from 2027 (three days at Penbank for the remainder of 2026).
Is Before and After School Care available?
Yes, at both campuses, Out-of-Hours Care runs from 7am to 8:45am and from 3pm to 6pm, on a casual or permanent basis. Contact your campus reception to arrange what you need for your family.
What are the age cut-offs for the three and four-year old ECC programs?
ECC3 requires that children turn 3 on or before 30 April in the year they attend. Families with children born between 1 January and 30 April can choose whether to start that year or wait until the following year.
ECC4 requires that children turn 4 on or before 30 April in the year they attend (typically the year before they begin Prep/Foundation).
What is Bush Kinder?
Bush Kinder, also known as Nature Kinder, is when ECC learners spend one day per week mostly outdoors, in bushland and creek spaces. It builds problem-solving skills, independence and confidence. It has been part of our learning ethos since Woodleigh's earliest days.
What teaching approach does Woodleigh use in ECC?
Our Early Childhood Programs are inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and grounded in the Victorian curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Is ECC part of the Victorian Free Kinder program?
No. Woodleigh’s Early Childhood Centre programs are fee-paying. Current fees are listed here on our fees page.
How do I apply?
The application process is straightforward: hit the button below to register your interest, and enrolments will contact you to work out the best plan for your family's needs.
Places are limited, however, so we strongly encourage families to come and see our ECC spaces and get to know our programs well in advance.
Is there anything else I might want to know?
Playgroup at Penbank and Minimbah is a gentle and fun way to ease little ones into ECC the following year. These are the first years of building a community that can carry them through to young adulthood.
Four for Four
Four Days for Four-Year-Olds
From 2027, Penbank will expand to a four-day ECC4 program, to align with Minimbah's four days for four-year-olds.
For Before and After-School Care outside of these hours, please contact Penbank Reception on (03) 5978 8425
Our approach to teaching and learning is inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, which emphasises interconnected learning areas. This is strategically informed by the five learning outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and aligns seamlessly with our inquiry-based curriculum framework of the International Baccaleurate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), ensuring a holistic and integrated educational experience.
Have a peek inside ECC
Before Woodleigh’s littlest learners arrive at Penbank’s Early Childhood Centre (ECC) in the mornings, the room is alive and waiting for them. If it's cold, the fire is burning, the lamps are glowing and there are books, blankets and cosy nooks with soft music. Read all about our spaces and learning ethos here; it’s worth the peek!
Make an Informed Choice
Choosing the right care for your family can feel overwhelming. We invite visit our centre during a typical day at the next Campus Tour. This is an opportunity to meet our dedicated staff, ask them any questions you have and experience our unique approach to early childhood education.
ECC Days
Get to know us better
at Playgroup
Minimbah’s Playgroup is a welcoming session for two-year-olds and their families, designed to support curiosity, confidence and communication through play. Your child will have the freedom to explore and participate – and you’ll gain a genuine sense of how we nurture early learning at Minimbah.
If you’re considering Early Childhood options, Playgroup is a great first step. You can meet our educators, connect with other families, and experience our environment before making a commitment.
We’d love to see you there.