Childcare Ratings and Parent Reviews for Pakenham, VIC

Your child will need a backpack or bag, a refillable water bottle, a change of clothes, a wide-brim sun hat and their favourite toy, which can help them settle in. For kindergarten your child will need morning tea and lunch (dependent on the length of the program day). Tours are available five days a week at various times and must be booked in advance. As a not-for-profit centre located in a culturally diverse community, we understand and respect all cultural backgrounds of the families at our centre. An Eden hat and wetbag for every child to help build  belonging, confidence, and pride from their very first day at Eden Academy together. An Eden hat and wetbag for every child to help build belonging, confidence, and pride from their very first day.
These activities teach children about environmental responsibility and the importance of caring for our planet. We create Individual Learning Plans for each child, based on their interests, strengths and developmental goals, and partner with families to regularly review and update each plan. What makes my role at Little Saints Pakenham particularly special is my personal connection to our community. I understand the morning rush, the importance of a reassuring update during the day, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your child is in childcare centres pakenham expert hands. This dual perspective allows me to support our families with the professional expertise of an educator and the genuine empathy of a fellow parent.

They want to learn and explore, which is why we teach through play-based learning. It supports language, motor skills, memory, emotions and social relationships. Educators plan play-based learning experiences based on children’s interests and goals. As a leader, I focus on empathy, transparency, and continuous improvement to ensure families feel heard, children feel safe, and educators are supported to grow. As a proud mum of six and “Nanny” to ten grandchildren, I understand the trust families place in us and the importance of positive early learning experiences.
18.5% of long day care centres in Pakenham hold an Exceeding NQS rating, significantly above the national average of 6%. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education since I was in high school. I have always loved watching children grow, learn, and develop throughout the years. Since I started in early childhood, I knew I had chosen the right career for me, and every day has been so rewarding. Even better, our year-round program will be tailored to accommodate your child’s individual learning and development needs, which will do wonders for boosting their enthusiasm, motivation and willingness to learn.
Children may attend the services provided they will be three or four years of age for the relevant service, as of 30 April in the year of their attendance. From day one, the warmth and professionalism of the team have made such a difference in our lives. What truly sets this place apart is the incredible leadership of the Centre Manager. My daughter is always enjoying her days with different kinds of fun activities at Aspire Huntly Village.

The centre also partners with a maternal child health nurse to provide a supportive environment for children and parents. In our nursery environment, educators focus on building strong, secure and respectful relationships so babies feel safe, settled and supported as they explore the world around them. Aspire’s Step into Prep program is designed for four-year-olds to confidently prepare for primary school in a supportive and stimulating environment. Building on skills developed in earlier years, the program focuses on independence, communication, and critical thinking. We focus on getting children school ready through educational, social and emotional learning.
Our programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standards (NQS) to support each child’s learning and development. I have been working in early childhood education since 2021 and joined Greenwood Officer the same year. My journey into early learning began as a parent at the centre, where I immediately felt how warm and welcoming it was. I started as an Assistant Educator, later progressing to Assistant Centre Manager, and I am now proud to be the Centre Director.

It also creates the perfect environment to socialise and form friendships. Our activities enhance language skills and promote collaborative group play, laying a strong foundation for their future learning experiences. We offer a structured kindergarten program that prepares children for primary school by fostering early literacy, numeracy, and social skills.
We employ educators and caregivers who are trained and qualified in child development. Our family day care service maintains a  student to teacher ratio to ensure that every child gets more attention and supervisions. We also provide educators and caregivers with regular training which will greatly help them keeping your child engaging and comfortable the whole day. From the moment you book a tour with us through to enrolment and your child’s first day, we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
By communicating openly and creating a sense of belonging, I aim to build trusting relationships with every family at our centre. Our child day care facility offers a variety of education programs for toddler and pre-school kids that will meet the academic and developmental needs of your child. We personalize your early education programs that would stimulate the physical, intellectual, creative and social development of the children whilst preparing them for big school. At Goodstart Pakenham, I am committed to leading a team that values collaboration, curiosity, and kindness. Together, we strive to create a centre where children are excited to learn, families feel supported and welcome, and educators are empowered to grow and thrive in their practice.

At our early learning centre in Pakenham, our play-based curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), supporting children to learn through play, exploration and discovery. Our policy emphasises individual sleep needs, providing appropriate opportunities for rest and relaxation in a secure environment. By maintaining consistent routines and environments, Story House supports healthy sleep habits, fostering a nurturing atmosphere conducive to each child’s development. Children completing their three or four-year-old funded kindergarten program in Long Day Care will receive a subsidised childcare amount.
Centre supply and current places are an output, not a leading indicator. For the demand-side drivers of this area — population growth, 0–4 cohort trends, dwelling supply, workforce participation and competing development pipeline — open the relevant deep-dive page. Demand and supply analysis of Child Care Centres and demographic drivers for Pakenham 3810. Our highly experienced and multicultural team includes long-standing educators who have been with the centre since opening, and we are proud to be rated Exceeding the National Quality Standards. If your child becomes unwell while at the centre, teachers will make them comfortable and ask you to pick them up. If you’re not available, they’ll call one of the other contacts listed on your enrolment form.

We’re proud to be the only early learning provider certified three times as a Great Place to Work and named as one of Australia’s Best Workplaces. We’ve been recognised for our commitment to wellbeing, inclusion, and innovation because creating inspiring environments starts with creating an inspiring workplace. Children thrive in our structured Bush Kinder program, designed to connect with nature and enhance social and emotional development in all environments. If you would like to get an update on your enrolment at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or call our family support team.
Shared updates and meaningful moments help families stay connected, informed, and engaged with their child’s journey. Seven of Goodstart’s award-winning team members have returned from an international ‘Discovering Next Practice’  professional learning experience in New Zealand. Indoors, bright and engaging learning spaces encourage creativity, collaboration, and discovery through play. We open your child’s mind to the outdoors, raising their awareness of the environment and the importance of their role in protecting it.