Grounded in regional Victoria. Growing together.
Jenny's ELC was founded in regional Victoria and has grown alongside the communities we serve. We're not a chain that parachuted in. We started here, and we're still here — which means we know these towns, these families, and what actually matters to them.
See our partnerships
Three things we believe deeply.
Our community work isn't a marketing exercise — it's an expression of who we are and what we believe early childhood education is for.
Grounded in regional Victoria
We were born here. Our founders, our educators, and most of our families live in Bendigo, Ballarat, or Geelong. When something matters to these communities, it matters to us — not because it's good for business, but because it's home.
We give back to the communities we operate in
Every centre we open makes a commitment to its local community — not just to provide excellent childcare, but to contribute to the wellbeing of the neighbourhood around it. From food drives to community gardens to local partnerships, we show up.
Our children learn to be active community members
We believe civic values start early. When a child packs a food donation box, plants a seedling for the community garden, or comforts a new child on their first day — that's not a nice extra. That's the curriculum.
Our community initiatives.
Jenny's ELC is part of the fabric of regional Victoria. Across Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong, we invest in the clubs, causes and cultural life that make our communities strong — because caring for children means caring for the places they grow up in.
Local Sporting Club Partnerships
Grassroots sport is at the heart of regional life. We proudly sponsor and support local football, netball, cricket, soccer and basketball clubs across Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong — from junior teams to community associations. Backing these clubs helps keep community sport accessible and thriving for the families and children in the towns we call home.
Community Events & Fun Runs
We get behind the events that bring our communities together — from major fun runs and charity treks to local family days and festivals. Our teams and families take part, cheer on and help make these occasions a success, strengthening the connection between Jenny's and the wider community.
Arts & Cultural Experiences
We partner with local arts and cultural institutions — including the Geelong Gallery — to open up creative experiences for our children and families. These partnerships bring art, storytelling and culture to life beyond the centre walls, nurturing curiosity, imagination and a lifelong love of learning.
Celebrating Culture & First Nations
We honour the cultural diversity of our communities and the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our centres stand. Through NAIDOC Week, Acknowledgement of Country and cultural celebrations throughout the year, our children learn to value, respect and celebrate the many cultures that make regional Victoria so rich.
School Transition Program
We work closely with local primary schools to help our Kinder graduates step confidently into Prep. This includes school visits, shared professional learning between educators, and transition statements tailored to each child's strengths, interests and needs.
Supporting Local Causes
Each year our centres give back to the causes that matter most to our communities — including health services, medical research, wellbeing programs and emergency services. Supporting these organisations reflects our belief that strong, healthy communities are the best place for children to grow.
Moments that bring us together.
Across the year, Jenny's ELC shows up for the moments that matter — the celebrations and learning milestones our children treasure, the traditions that are uniquely ours, and the community events and partnerships that connect us to regional Victoria. Here are some of the highlights.
Lunar New Year
Our centres welcome the Lunar New Year with colour, story and celebration — exploring the traditions, symbols and food that families across our communities hold dear, and building respect for the many cultures that make Jenny's so rich.
Bendigo Ford Fun Run
Our Bendigo centres get behind the Bendigo Ford Fun Run — one of the region's biggest community running events, held in Rosalind Park to raise funds for the Bendigo Health Foundation. Our families lace up, cheer on and share in a morning of movement and community spirit.
Mother's Day Afternoon Tea
Each May we open our doors for a special Mother's Day afternoon tea, inviting mums and special people to share in their child's world. It's a warm celebration of the relationships at the heart of every child's life.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Each May we join thousands of early learning services, schools and libraries across the country for National Simultaneous Storytime, reading the same picture book at the very same moment — a joyful celebration of stories, language and the simple magic of reading together.
Surf Coast Trek
In Geelong we're a proud sponsor of the Surf Coast Trek, the premier fundraising event of the Give Where You Live Foundation. The trek raises vital funds for local people doing it tough — reflecting our long-term commitment to the Geelong community.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
We celebrate NAIDOC Week across all centres with cultural activities, storytelling, art, music and yarning, and visits from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. In Ballarat we work alongside the Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) to deepen these connections.
Pyjama Week
A much-loved Jenny's ELC tradition, Pyjama Week is a whole week of cosy comfort, stories and shared joy across our centres — celebrating belonging, wellbeing and the simple fun of a day in your PJs.
Book Week & Science Week
August is a month of discovery. During Children's Book Week our centres come alive with dress-up days, storytelling and favourite characters, while National Science Week sparks curiosity through hands-on experiments and big questions — nurturing a love of both reading and inquiry.
Geelong Gallery Partnership
Our partnership with the Geelong Gallery gives children and families access to world-class exhibitions and creative programs throughout the year, bringing art, history and culture to life well beyond the centre walls.
Giving Back
Generosity runs through our year. Our centres act as drop-off points for The Nappy Collective, support Geelong Foodshare's food relief, and rally behind the Bendigo Health Foundation Christmas Appeal each December — teaching children that small acts of giving make a real difference to local families.
Kinder to School Transition Day
Our Kinder graduates visit their future primary schools accompanied by their educators — a warm, supported introduction to the next chapter of their learning journey.
Kindergarten Graduation Ceremonies
We mark the end of the Kinder year with heartfelt graduation ceremonies, celebrating each child's growth alongside their families and educators. It's a proud milestone — and a warm send-off before the big leap to school.
Community partnerships we're proud of.
We work alongside local governments, community organisations, schools, and businesses to create richer experiences for children and stronger communities for everyone.
Alfredton Primary School
Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)
Ballarat Business Women
Ballarat East Cricket Club
Ballarat Football Netball Club
Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC)
Be.Bendigo / BBEA
Bendigo Basketball Association
Bendigo Braves
Bendigo Ford Fun Run
Bendigo Health Foundation
Bendigo Spirit
CFA Donations Fund
D2E Gym
Epsom Cricket Club
Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute
Friend in Me
Geelong Chamber of Commerce / GBEA
Geelong Gallery
Give Where You Live Foundation
Grovedale Tigers Football Netball Club
Huntly Football Netball Club
Jimmy's Licorice Allsorts
Lara Giants Basketball Club
Lara United FC
Lucas Primary School
Maiden Gully Junior Football Club
Maiden Gully Marist Cricket ClubMMaiden Gully Primary School
Maiden Gully Progress Association
North Geelong Football Netball Club – Juniors
North Shore Football Netball ClubSSport and Life Training (SALT)
Sedgwick Cricket Club
Strathfieldsaye Cricket Club (Jets)
Victory Christian College
Surf Coast Trek
VRI Delacombe Cricket ClubChildren are not just future citizens. They are citizens now.
The Early Years Learning Framework recognises children as active contributors to their communities — not just recipients of care. At Jenny's ELC, we take this seriously. Our curriculum deliberately builds civic values: empathy, generosity, environmental responsibility, and respect for diversity.
When a child helps pack a food donation box, plants a seedling in the community garden, or welcomes a new child on their first day, they are practising citizenship. These experiences shape who they become — long before they ever cast a vote or pay a tax.
"The best thing about our centre is watching children go from being cared for to caring for others. That shift — when a child notices someone is sad and goes to comfort them — that's the whole point."
— Jenny's ELC Centre Director, Bendigo
Become a community partner
Are you a local organisation, business, or community group interested in partnering with Jenny's ELC? We'd love to hear from you. We're always looking for meaningful ways to connect our centres with the communities around them.
Get in touchShare your community story
Are you a Jenny's ELC family with a community story to share? We'd love to feature your experience on this page. Reach out to your centre director or contact us directly.
Contact us