Golden Grove Lutheran Early Learning Centre

NEW NEWS JUNE 2026

Planning is in progress for our 41-place ELC for 3 and 4 year old children in our current GGOSH area, with GGOSH relocating into the adjacent space. Our Development Application with the City of Tea Tree Gully is progressing well, and our target has been to open this centre in early 2027.

In recent weeks, a significant federal government grant opportunity has emerged that is influencing our strategic planning. The Australian Government’s Building Early Education Fund has identified Golden Grove as an eligible location for grants of up to $3 million for the construction of purpose-built early childhood facilities. We have applied for this grant in partnership with Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista, who have operated Curiosity ELC on their site for a number of years and hold the approved provider status required to be eligible to apply.

If successful, the grant would fund a purpose-built, 66-place ELC on a small part of our oval, catering for children from birth to five years at minimal capital cost to the school. This is a fundamentally better outcome than refurbishing existing space for 3 and 4 year olds. It is a larger facility, serves a broader age range, and positions our school to serve young families in our community for decades to come. This option would be carefully designed so as not to overly impinge on our existing oval, play and ‘green’ space. We are also fortunate to have access to a range of green space, including Richardson Reserve and our shared campus facilities with Wynn Vale School. Pursuing the smaller, self-funded option without first exploring this opportunity would not have been the best stewardship of our community’s resources or ambitions.

If the grant application is successful, it would mean that our ELC will open in early 2028 rather than 2027. We know that asks for patience, and we are grateful for everyone’s understanding. 

Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School and Good Shepherd Para Vista have worked together for a number of years as part of our Connected Schools network of Lutheran schools in north-eastern Adelaide, which makes this partnership a natural fit, and we are genuinely excited about what this project could achieve for both of our learning  communities.

We have not put our original ELC project on hold while we wait. We are continuing to progress our Development Application, soil testing, traffic flow and parking assessment with a traffic engineer, policy development, and planning for the refurbished ELC. If our grant application is unsuccessful, we will move swiftly to tender and advertise for an ELC Director, with a view to opening the 41-place ELC for 3 and 4 year olds in the first half of 2027.

Grant outcomes will be advised in late August 2026, at which time we will publish a confirmed timeline and next steps. In the meantime, please feel most welcome to be in contact with any queries that you may have. 

New Concept Drawings

Our Early Learning Centre will:

• be strategically and thoughtfully located on our school grounds near our new Foundation Centre
• offer a rich and stimulating learning program, drawing on elements of the IB Primary Years Program and Reggio Emilia approaches
• operate between the anticipated hours of 8.30am – 3.00pm as well as providing the option for extended care from 7.00am – 6.00pm and during holiday periods,
• have some flexibility as to the number of days per week that it could be accessed,
• enable access to the specialist facilities and programmes of the school, and
• our firm commitment is to mirror the fees of alternate local service providers to ensure inclusivity and affordability for all.

We acknowledge that all families are becoming increasingly busy, hence exploring whether we would be able to provide early learning, long day care and vacation care in an integrated way for our youngest students, better accommodating future siblings as part of our beautiful school community.

Planning to build in stages is currently in progress – see images below.

Initial Stage

Further Stages

We are seeking expressions of interest from any family who will have a three or four year old child in 2027 (or in later years), who would be interested in accessing the service. The expressions of interest are indicative only, without any obligation, and are to help the school determine the potential level of demand and thus the potential feasibility of taking this strategic step as a school.

You are most welcome to share this information with your family and friends who may also be interested in expressing an interest in this option for their child or children.

If interested families are able to complete the short form at the link below to express their interest, at no obligation.