Strathcona Girls Grammar opens Early Years space designed to support Floresco framework

Melbourne school Strathcona Girls Grammar has opened a new early years space, which comprises three heritage houses connected by two contemporary links, expanding the learning offering of the school to include a clear pathway from Kindergarten through to Junior school via its integrated model.

The purpose-built campus caters for students in 3-year-old Kindergarten through to Year 1 with space for 70 students in the three buildings and an extensive natural play area with an expanded external deck and three playgrounds. 

Strathcona’s Early Years framework

The early years offering at the school is driven by a framework known as Floresco, which is inspired by Harvard’s Pedagogy of Play, Finland’s Early Childhood Education Model and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

A methodology which is exclusive to the school, Floresco encourages children to explore their identity, culture and values as active learners and citizens, fostering innovation, creativity and playfulness.

“Floresco’s philosophical approach fosters a continuous learning journey, free from disruption, where students are encouraged to move freely from desks to open areas like the light-filled piazza,” Lorna Beegan, Strathcona Girls Grammar Principal said. 

“Unlike more conventional design frameworks, which may focus on structured, indoor and outdoor settings, Floresco prioritises relational and authentic experiences connecting learners to themselves, each other, their environment and their community.”

Architecturally designed 

Strathcona Early Years was designed by Sally Draper Architects, with interior design by Aldona Pajdak. 

The architects focused on having an open and free-flowing environment enabling uninterrupted exploration, play and learning – with an established gum tree at the heart of the outdoor space. 

The heritage nature of the buildings means children have access to a variety of spaces to suit their learning styles—whether it is for collaborative work, independent or directed learning. 

Learning areas for both the Kindergarten and early Primary years open off a central internal piazza and shared Atelier to encourage connection between all year levels.

XYLEM Landscape Architects worked on the outdoor areas, creating spaces with challenge and creative play experiences. 

Intentional design 

Strathcona Early Years has been carefully envisioned and researched by educators for nearly five years, Ms Beegan continued. 

The journey began in early 2020 when Strathcona met with architect Sally Draper, who presented the initial masterplan for the Early Years build. Throughout 2020, 2021, and 2022, Strathcona collaborated closely with Sally Draper to design the project, with building preparations commencing in 2022. 

When construction began in 2023, key staff and students were introduced to the process to encourage the collaborative development of ideas and the program.  

An inquiry summit was held to capture staff and student voices and gauge how the space would be used, and a core group of students from ELC and Junior School were interviewed. Key staff then undertook action research projects to develop the Floresco philosophy, ensuring it was grounded in robust research and global best practices. This included examining international and national philosophies and frameworks for early childhood education.

In 2024, the doors opened to Strathcona’s Early Years and Floresco came to life. 

To learn more about Strathcona’s Early Years and Floresco offering please visit the website, or connect with the school via Facebook or Instagram – @strathconagirls.