Goodstart Early Learning Mill Park - University Drive
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Goodstart Early Learning Mill Park - University Drive Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Mill Park - University Drive Centre highlights
- Age-appropriate outdoor play spaces with sandpits, veggie gardens, a worm farm, a compost bin, climbing equipment and ample space for exploration
- Easily accessible location close to schools, shopping centres and the RMIT University
- Colourful, comfortable and well-resourced interiors
Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Mill Park – University Drive is conveniently located behind McDonald's on Plenty Road, close to the Western Ring Road, Westfield, and University Hill shopping centre. The centre is near public and private schools, as well as RMIT University, making it easily accessible for families in the area.
Our team of experienced and qualified educators, many of whom are long-term staff, provide high-quality care in a warm, nurturing environment. The centre is purpose-built with age-appropriate outdoor learning spaces. Inside, each room—from Nursery to Kindergarten—follows the Early Years Learning Framework, offering sensory and play-based learning to support children's growth and development.
We focus on preparing children for school through stimulating surroundings and engaging activities. The Storypark platform, alongside family nights, newsletters, and emails, helps us stay connected with families, ensuring open communication and allowing us to tailor programs to each child’s needs, interests, and strengths. Our centre celebrates cultural diversity, reflecting this in our curriculum and community.
Our outdoor play areas feature natural and manmade elements such as sandpits, veggie gardens, a worm farm, and plenty of shaded space for exploration. We also offer a nationally balanced, rotating four-week menu to ensure healthy, nutritious meals for all ages.
Come and visit us! We would love to welcome you and your family to explore how we can support your child’s lifelong learning journey.
Fees & Vacancies
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Goodstart Early Learning Mill Park - University Drive Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Mill Park - University Drive service include:
Get to know us
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.
Neeru Randhawa
Hi, I’m Neeru Randhawa and I’m the Centre Director here at Goodstart University Drive, Mill Park.
I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and have been in the industry for over 12 years - 11 of those as a Centre Director. I have experience working with children from birth to 12 years old.
I believe children are confident and capable learners, and we need to facilitate their learning by providing activities and experiences that are engaging and extend their interests. I love seeing children grow and supporting their love of learning. I am keen to make a positive impact in every child’s life at our early education centre.
Attending an early childhood education and care centre provides many benefits. Children have the chance to socialise with other children of not only their own age but across all age groups. They have access to dedicated group learning opportunities such as story time, activities, learning programs, show and tell, specialised programs, visitors from the local community and so much more.
I love the people in our community. From a quick morning hello to the amazing support given when we do a local fund-raising drive, it is the people who build our community. Community leads an important role in children's learning, therefore, we regularly host family events such as Mother's and Father’s Day, Grandparents Day, date nights, and more. This encourages our families to come together as a local community with our team and we also host celebrations at the end of the year.
We have meaningful face-to-face discussions with families every day to ensure they know how important they are to us. We build and maintain a good relationship with our families and provide comprehensive regular updates on their child’s progress, listen to feedback and take action based on it.
When I’m not in the centre, you’ll find me walking my dog or spending time with my family.
At Goodstart University Drive, Mill Park, we strive to provide a safe, peaceful and natural environment that engages children's five senses, provoking wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a child learn with passion and wonder, and we nurture this at our centre.
Health and safety are extremely important and a priority for us at University Drive, Mill Park. We ensure all measures and protocols are in place and followed, including risk assessments, supervisions plans, management plans, policies and procedures.
My team are professional and nurturing. We provide a comprehensive tour that explains all childcare centre information and learning programs, introduces our environments and team, and answers any questions the family might have.
I cannot wait to meet your family and begin this exciting journey with you.
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3 University DriveMill Park, VIC, 3082
Centre Reviews
Goodstart Mill Park has been such an amazing place for our child's early education. The educators are caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated, creating a... Goodstart Mill Park has been such an amazing place for our child's early education. The educators are caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated, creating a warm and nurturing environment that makes learning fun. The facilities are clean and well-equipped with a variety of engaging activities. Our child has shown significant growth in social skills, creativity, and basic academics since joining. Communication with parents is excellent, and the staff is always approachable and helpful. We couldn't be happier with our experience! Read more
This is such an amazing centre! My child has attended for 2 years across 3 rooms/age brackets and all educators have been professional,... This is such an amazing centre! My child has attended for 2 years across 3 rooms/age brackets and all educators have been professional, caring and child focused. The centre has a community feel from the moment you enter. I've recently toured local preschools, which reinforced what a gem this centre is. Thanks to all the staff who make this centre so great! Read more
C Jay, thank you for sharing your experience! Creating a warm and welcoming community is our priority, and we're delighted that you've felt that from the moment you walk in. Your recognition means a lot to us, and we're grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your child's early learning journey.
My son has attended this wonderful centre for over a year now and every single day that I drop him off is a... My son has attended this wonderful centre for over a year now and every single day that I drop him off is a day that I am so glad I made the choice that I did. I toured many centres, and as an Early Childhood Educator myself, I was incredibly fussy when choosing. Goodstart University Drive ticked all my boxes and has continued to do so ever since. The centre holds such a homely and community orientated feel, while also encouraging and facilitating education of children in such a seemingly effortless way. The Centre Director Neeru is so warm and inviting, and the entire team that works within her centre is equally as fantastic. It's not just my son's WONDERFUL permenant room educators that care for him and know him, but every staff member. Permenant educators in other rooms, breaks relief staff, the centre cook, as well as the whole management and admin team genuinely go out of their way to take notice and get to know not just my son, but myself also, making it so easy to build and maintain trust that my son's needs will always be met. The centre really is built entirely on the back's of such professional and caring educators that have all contributed to helping my son reach milestones, celebrating his successes and showing concern when needed. And the best part is, now that my son is talking, he comes home and tells me all about how great his day, his teachers and his friends are, and about all the cool things he learnt. Read more