Goodstart Early Learning Pooraka
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Goodstart Early Learning Pooraka Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Pooraka Centre highlights
- Flexible schedules and freshly prepared, nutritious meals served five times daily.
- Extensive outdoor play areas used throughout the day, offering active and quiet experiences.
- Government-approved Preschool Program fostering social skills and school readiness.
Goodstart Early Learning Pooraka is a welcoming, 55-place centre in the heart of Montague Farm, close to local shops and the Pooraka Farm Community Centre. We believe each family and child is unique, and our dedicated team works closely with families to offer personalised support. Our educators bring a range of experience—from 1 to 30 years—ensuring a balanced approach to early education that embraces both established and innovative practices.
Our centre offers a government-approved Preschool Program year-round, led by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher focused on building children’s social, emotional, and self-help skills. We also provide expert support for children with developmental needs, embedding values of respect, empathy, and kindness.
Children enjoy nutritious, fresh meals prepared daily onsite, with flexible meal times that accommodate varied family schedules. Our spacious outdoor areas, accessible throughout the day, encourage both active and quiet play, allowing children to choose their preferred environment for learning.
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 Pooraka Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Pooraka 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.
Lisa Bartlett
Hi, I’m Lisa and I’ve been the Centre Director at here at Goodstart Pooraka since 2012.
Working as the Centre Director here at Pooraka and being a mum to my pre-teen daughter are truly my favourite things in life and I feel so grateful everyday to work in a service where the team are so passionate, dedicated and committed to providing quality Early Learning and Care to all children and families in our community.
My own family background and my years of experience in this role has taught me that being an advocate for children and families is one of the most important roles you can play in life, and I often think back to the people who were there for me when I most needed it. This is one reason why my mission is to do the same for the children and families at our centre, to be a safe space for children, a safe person to listen without judgement when families are in need and a source of advice and comfort on this parenting journey. Whether you need a little extra help because your washing machine broke down this week or you’ve hit hard times and don’t know how to apply for income support or you just can’t understand why your child is suddenly challenging your patience at every turn, my door and my heart is open to you and I am committed to doing whatever I can to support you and your child.
Goodstart Pooraka truly is a special place and I’m proud to be the leader of a team who truly understand what it means to be there for our community. I hope I get to meet you soon 😊
Call us on 8262 4117, or click the 'Book a tour' button above to arrange a personalised tour. If you’d like a tour outside of the offered tour times please contact me so that we can organise this for you.
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124 Henderson AvePooraka, SA, 5095
Centre Reviews
This childcare boasts an exceptionally warm and attentive staff, led by Lisa, Tammy, Hoseina, and their dedicated team of educators. From the initial... This childcare boasts an exceptionally warm and attentive staff, led by Lisa, Tammy, Hoseina, and their dedicated team of educators. From the initial drop-off to witnessing my child's developmental milestones in the nursery and toddler rooms, their unwavering support eased the "mom guilt" I felt about returning to work. Their willingness to accommodate my evolving circumstances made the transition seamless. I will definitely be entrusting my second child to their care as well. Read more
Leaving your child with someone else can be pretty scary, but Lisa and the staff at Goodstart Pooraka made this transition really easy. Our... Leaving your child with someone else can be pretty scary, but Lisa and the staff at Goodstart Pooraka made this transition really easy. Our son smiles and reaches for his educators every morning, he has developed a beautiful bond with all three regular staff in the nursery room, but particularly his lead educator Chelsea. I feel happy knowing he’s in a safe environment that is giving him the best start in life while actively trying to learn what interests and motivates our son. Read more
We truly appreciate your kind words about your experience at Goodstart Pooraka, Lauren. It's heartwarming to hear that our team made the transition easy for you and your son. We're delighted that he enjoys his time with us, has developed a beautiful bond with his educators and feels safe in our environment. Thank you for entrusting us with his care and for recognizing our efforts to provide him with the best start in life.
Could not rate this centre higher if I tried to. Don’t quite have the words to explain how amazing they have been for... Could not rate this centre higher if I tried to. Don’t quite have the words to explain how amazing they have been for my self and my family. My son absolutely loves going to childcare each day and his educators are absolutely beautiful, so understanding and welcoming. They have always been extremely accomodating with our circumstances and value our privacy so much. They mean the world to us and it’s like having another family. We love it here! Thank you to Lisa, the centre director for providing such a valuable service to our community! Read more
Bianca, your words warm our hearts! Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback about Goodstart Pooraka. We're thrilled to hear that you and your family have had an amazing experience with us. It means the world to us to hear that your son loves coming to our centre each day and that you feel like part of our family. We're grateful for your trust and support and will continue to provide our community with the best possible care. Thank you for being a part of our Goodstart Pooraka family!