Goodstart Early Learning Blackburn South Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Blackburn South Centre highlights
- Experienced, passionate educators.
- Engaging indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
- Healthy, on-site meals tailored to dietary needs.
Goodstart Early Learning Blackburn South is a welcoming, purpose-built centre located in a quiet residential area, close to schools and shops for easy drop-offs and pick-ups.
Our centre caters for 60 children across four rooms, from Nursery to Kindergarten/Preschool. Each room is designed according to the Early Years Learning Framework, offering engaging, sensory, and play-based learning experiences. Our experienced educators, who have been with us for two to ten years, create a warm, family-like atmosphere and are dedicated to nurturing and educating each child.
We value open communication with families through our Storypark platform, regular family nights, and newsletters. This ensures we can adapt our programs to each child’s unique needs, interests, and strengths, celebrating the centre’s cultural diversity.
Our outdoor spaces are equipped with age-appropriate play areas including sandpits, garden beds, vegetable patches, cubbyhouses, a worm farm, and a cosy book corner. These areas encourage children to explore, develop environmental awareness, and learn about sustainability.
Healthy, nutritious meals are prepared daily by our on-site cook, catering for all dietary needs, including allergies. We provide breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack.
Art and music form an essential part of our daily curriculum, allowing children to express their creativity freely. Community engagement is key to enriching our learning environment, with regular visits and participation in local events.
We invite you to visit and see how we can support your child’s early learning journey and offer you peace of mind.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Blackburn South Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Blackburn South service include:
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Kindergarten/Preschool Programs
Kindergarten/Preschool Programs
Our high-quality, play based preschool curriculum is delivered by Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Our teachers tailor their programs to ensure all children develop the confidence and social and emotional skills needed for a smooth transition to school. Through play, our Early Childhood Teachers facilitate children’s learning of important language, literacy, numeracy and creative skills.
Benefits of Goodstart Kindergarten/Preschool programs:
- Our programs are planned and led by qualified and experienced Early Childhood Teachers, in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework
- Our programs have the tick of approval, meaning they meet (and exceed) Government guidelines around learning in the year before school
- Strong connections with local schools support our extensive transition to school programs
- We offer greater flexibility and convenience for busy families with longer opening hours, five days a week, 52 weeks of the year.
- We offer 9-hour, 10-hour and all-day sessions.
- Nutritious meals are provided throughout the day, so there’s no need to pack lunch boxes.
Curriculum and programs
Curriculum and programs
The educators at Goodstart Early Learning follow an evidence-based curriculum that aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework. Informed by world-leading research, practices and techniques, the curriculum encourages the children’s natural curiosity and engages them in their learning journey.
As the children move through the different rooms in the centre, the curriculum evolves with them. The educators set goals for the children and celebrate as they reach their milestones. At every stage, the educators are tailoring the curriculum and goals to each child’s individual needs.
The curriculum involves different types of learning experiences and styles. From child-led learning to sessions guided by educators, the children participate in small and large group sessions as well as individual play. Most importantly, the children learn through play, developing social skills, confidence and independence in addition to more formal academic skills.
Play is the order of the day of Goodstart Early Learning and the programs at the centre are grounded in a play-based approach. The educators embed teaching and learning into play experiences, helping the children to make sense of the world around them. This is how the children learn about how things work and develop important foundational relationships and skills.
The primarily child-directed, play-based curriculum ensures that the children are engaged in their learning. They are encouraged to take the lead, developing their negotiation, risk taking, problem solving and social skills. The educators observe the children and help to challenge them by extending their learning and interests.
The educators recognise that every child is unique and that they bring their own needs, interests and strengths with them each day. The program is designed to be flexible to cater to these differing needs, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive at Goodstart.
Parent communication and involvement
Parent communication and involvement
Goodstart Early Learning uses the StoryPark app to connect with parents throughout the day. The educators upload photos and stories to the secure app, which parents can access anytime and anywhere to track their child’s progress.
The approach at the centre is very much based around partnership between families and educators. The educators work with the parents and carers to build strong relationships. They develop trust so the children can feel safe and secure while at the centre. Parents are also encouraged to share their insights and feedback with educators to add depth to the relationship.
The educators observe the children every day and tailor the program around their observations. They share these with parents, so they can feel connected to their child’s progress and also provide feedback that will further enhance their child’s learning experience.
Meet the team
Meet the team
Goodstart Early Learning employs qualified and skilled educators who are dedicated to making a difference to the children in their care. The centre employs people who are empathetic and compassionate, with a nurturing disposition and a passion for care. Working collaboratively as a team, the educators display qualities such as positivity, kindness and, most importantly, a desire to help every child thrive.
The educators hold relevant qualifications, including the Kindergarten and Preschool Program teachers who are university qualified. The educators are lifelong learners, participating in regular and ongoing professional development to enhance their skills. They are encouraged to upskill, learning about the latest research and thinking in the sector. They can then bring this knowledge back to the centre to share with their colleagues for the benefit of the children.
Stacey Hajitofi
Hi, my name is Stacey, and I'm the Centre Director here at Goodstart Blackburn South.
My career in Early Learning:
I studied at Swinburne TAFE and received my Diploma of Children’s Services in 2015, I have worked here at Goodstart Blackburn South for 15 years.
I started out as a Room Leader working in the Nursery room for 10 years, I have now been in the Centre Director role for the last 5 years.
◾ Care and Empathy for children
◾ Love and Comfort for all children
I strongly believe that your child’s first experiences in early childhood education should be positive as it establishes their attitude for learning for their whole life.
Children should feel safe and secure in their environment and should have really strong bonds with the Educators who care for them. We encourage families to call in to visit us at any time.
Our centre prides itself on the array of cultures we have within our Team and within our families who attend the centre.
The people! From a quick morning hello, to the amazing support given by all our wonderful families who attend our centre and the supporting businesses around us.
When I’m not in the centre, you’ll find me being a busy Mumma of 3-year-old girl/boy twins, enjoying coffee with friends and being around my family.
At Goodstart Blackburn South, we strive to provide a safe, peaceful and natural environment for the children, lots of dedicated Educators who have been here for more than 20 years and comforting arms to walk into every day.
I look forward to welcoming you and your family.
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286 Middleborough RoadBlackburn South, VIC, 3130
Centre Reviews
Goodstart Blackburn South is the most amazing centre. The staff have been at the centre for years and all know the kids by... Goodstart Blackburn South is the most amazing centre. The staff have been at the centre for years and all know the kids by name. Both my sons attended the centre and I knew they were well taken care of in the hands of Stacey and her team. There is a big focus on play and my children thrived here. I am so grateful for the kindness, empathy and caring they have shown my children over the past 7 years. You will not find better. Read more
Working Parent and still settling in a new country, Goodstart Blackburn is a boon. The staff is extremely supportive and take extra care... Working Parent and still settling in a new country, Goodstart Blackburn is a boon. The staff is extremely supportive and take extra care for kids to adapt to their environment. Big shout out to Stacy and team for helping out working parents who have no support system to lean on. Hugs and love. Read more
What an exceptional Centre to send my boys to! The director and staff have been so overly welcoming and compassionate in the boys... What an exceptional Centre to send my boys to! The director and staff have been so overly welcoming and compassionate in the boys transition to this Centre. My sons have built relationships with the other children and educators so quickly which has been so pleasing to see. The communication is consistent and they always handle matters in a professional manner. The educational activities provided for my children are always targeted towards the needs of the children and their individual interests. My boys have absolutely thrived by attending this Centre and I would highly recommend to anyone! Read more
Thank you for this amazing review Kylie. We are so glad to hear that you and your boys are happy with our centre. Our team put a lot of effort into making sure our centre is safe, nurturing and a place to thrive. Thanks for recommending us 😊