Goodstart Early Learning Elwood
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Goodstart Early Learning Elwood Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Elwood Centre highlights
- Our curriculum, based on the Early Years Learning Framework, fosters learning through play and exploration, promoting holistic development in a stimulating environment.
- Our outdoor play areas boast a blend of natural and manmade elements, fostering an appreciation for the environment and sustainability while encouraging imaginative play and exploration.
- Our on-site cook prepares freshly cooked meals and snacks, considering any dietary requirements, ensuring children receive nourishing meals throughout the day.
Goodstart Early Learning Elwood is located in a quiet residential area, ensuring stress-free drop-offs and pick-ups. We provide care for children from six weeks to school age, operating Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Our play-based curriculum follows the Early Years’ Learning Framework and is tailored to each age group, from Nursery to Kindergarten/Preschool. We create engaging programs based on children’s interests and strengths, preparing them for school. Storypark helps keep families connected with regular updates on their child’s progress and milestones.
Our outdoor spaces blend natural and built elements, featuring sandpits, a worm farm, a vegetable patch, a mud kitchen, a bike path, gardens, a stage, a cubbyhouse, and shaded areas. These spaces foster environmental awareness, sustainability, and imaginative play.
We provide freshly prepared, nutritious meals and snacks, accommodating special dietary requirements. Our experienced team runs a developmental program that nurtures each child’s growth in a safe, happy environment.
Community involvement is central to our approach, with centre visits, excursions, and local events enriching children’s learning and fostering a sense of belonging.
We invite you to visit our centre, meet our team, and see our dedication to your child’s early learning.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Elwood Service features
See more (15)Goodstart Early Learning Elwood 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.
Adele Kenning
Hi everyone, my name is Adele, and I am the Centre Director here at Goodstart Elwood.
I started my childcare career here at Elwood, working in many roles over the past 5 years. I have a BSC Hons degree in Sports Studies and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
I have two little girls and I am very passionate about early learning, giving each child the opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy their childcare journey. Along with my team, each day we create a learning environment, where children can interact, engage, build self-confidence and learn through play.
Children are an extension of their families. I believe it is important to have positive and ongoing communication to support the needs of each Child.
Our doors are always open to welcome new families into our Elwood community. Book a tour and come say hello. We look forward to meeting you and showing you around our little centre.
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35 Tennyson StreetElwood, VIC, 3184
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Centre Reviews
I did my first two placements at this center, and I have to say—it’s one of the best childcare centers in Melbourne. They... I did my first two placements at this center, and I have to say—it’s one of the best childcare centers in Melbourne. They genuinely follow all the rules and guidelines, and you can feel how much everyone there cares about working with children. The whole team is professional and really warm, and it makes such a difference. My supervisors were fantastic and super helpful. The Center Director, Adele, and the Assistant Director, Fay, are amazing leaders who make everyone feel included and valued. Now that I’m at a different center, I can really see the distinctions between the two environments. Honestly, if I hadn’t moved to a suburb further away, I would have loved to do my final placement there too. Read more
Wonderful attentive educators who know each child by name regardless of age. Cannot think of a better for my child’s development. Each child... Wonderful attentive educators who know each child by name regardless of age. Cannot think of a better for my child’s development. Each child has a dedicated educator who provides daily updates re sleep, food and play. The photos of baby having fun are wonderful to see too! Read more
Thanks Lingyan for leaving us such a great review. We love our amazing community here at Goodstart Elwood. Our team put a lot of effort into making sure our centre is safe, nurturing and a place to thrive, and our Key Educator program supports this work. It's great you love the updates we send throughout the day. 😃
Both my daughters went to Goodstart Elwood from 10months (now 2 and 5). Goodstart Elwood has been like a second family for them.... Both my daughters went to Goodstart Elwood from 10months (now 2 and 5). Goodstart Elwood has been like a second family for them. The staff are lovely and my 2 year old doesn't look back when I drop her off. You can tell that a lot of thought has been put in to activities and the staff foster collaboration between kids. The food and menu are great and definitely helped my kids to try out different vegetables! Read more
Thank you for this wonderful feedback Zoe. We are glad to hear that you and your daughters are happy with Goodstart Elwood. We work hard to make sure that we’re part of the family and to provide high-quality learning for our children. It's great to hear that you're daughters are trying different vegies! 😊