Goodstart Early Learning Melrose Park Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Melrose Park Centre highlights
- Tailored curriculum based on individual interests.
- Strong family partnerships through effective communication.
- Safe outdoor spaces promoting environmental awareness.
Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre in Melrose Park is a 70-place facility conveniently located near local schools and shops, simplifying daily drop-offs and pick-ups. We cater to children from six weeks to school age across four learning spaces: Nursery, Toddler, and Preschool.
Our experienced educators deliver a tailored early learning curriculum that aligns with each child's interests. The Preschool program, designed for ages 3-5, follows the Early Years Learning Framework and is led by a degree-qualified Early Childhood Teacher. We focus on fostering collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills to ensure children are well-prepared for school and life.
Our stimulating environment promotes sensory, play-based learning while preparing children for their transition to school. We maintain strong communication with families through Storypark, allowing us to adapt our programs to meet individual needs and celebrate cultural diversity.
Our outdoor play areas are designed to enhance children's understanding of the natural environment and sustainability. Facilities include sandpits, natural gardens, a play kitchen, and shaded spaces for safe play.
We enrich our curriculum with community partnerships and provide daily art and music experiences for creative expression. Enrolling at Goodstart Melrose Park means access to high-quality learning environments, passionate staff, nutritious meals prepared on-site, and a holistic approach to child development.
We invite you to book a tour to see how we can support your child's early learning journey.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Melrose Park Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Melrose Park 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.
Caddie Louise Bellenger
My name is Caddie and I am the Centre Director at Melrose Park Goodstart. I hold a Diploma in Children’s Services and have worked in the early learning sector for almost 15 years with the last 10 years here at Goodstart Melrose Park.
My career has seen me be fortunate enough to work across all age groups and I truly see it as a privilege that families entrust their children to us, as a mum myself I understand how difficult this can be. I believe in providing a nurturing, warm and respectful environment within a centre where children can learn, have fun and feel comfortable to be themselves.
The first five years in a child’s life are so important and I look forward to working with all of our families to make those early years a special time for their children.
Call us on 8351 2266, 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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135 Edward StMelrose Park, SA, 5039
Centre Reviews
I sent my child to Good Start basis recommendations from one of my colleague she used to often share her child's activities ,... I sent my child to Good Start basis recommendations from one of my colleague she used to often share her child's activities , development and toilet training experience with me .I thought this place would really help my child .I chose Good Start at Melrose Park because it was closer to my house . During the tour there was a very high bar set of what activities are done ,food (we could tell them and they try and customise the food ),nappy training etc,Story Park app etc .My child started at pre kindy ,within few months of the child settling in the teacher moved out ,then the director ,then there was a swap in teachers , frequent changes is a thing at this place. I was advised by an educator to start sending home food as my child did not eat there. No one made an effort to introduce the child to any food being served at the centre . When and incident would occur the Incident reports from each educator had a different story ,when confronted I was told it was a mistake,with an apology . While I understand toilet training should start at home there was no effort made to encourage the child. When we started toilet training my child at home and asked them to help set the routine while my child was there they asked me to sendthe child in nappies till he/she is ready(all he/she needed was to be timed and reminded to go) When I asked why I did not see my child's photo during activities responses are we can't be clicking pictures always ,but your child participates . In Kindergarten you would expect some training on school readiness ,but don't expect that here .If your child is not interested in the routine no additional effort was made to bring them in and get them interested . Overall very disappointed with the whole experience !!!!!!! Read more
Hi Binsy, I’m so sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience at our centre. In terms of staffing changes, we have not changed Directors and we had our teacher reduce days so we put our Assistant Director, who is also a teacher, into the room permanently to ensure consistency was maintained. We feel that we have tried really hard to support your child, so we would really appreciate the opportunity to discuss your concerns with you in person. Could you please get in touch with our Centre Director Caddie so that we can resolve these matters.