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Goodstart Early Learning Willowdale Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Willowdale
Unique sensory spaces for endless exploration
Goodstart Early Learning Willowdale is a vibrant modern centre, purpose built to enrich the learning experience. Designed to feel like a second home, the centre offers light-filled and naturally inspired environments for exploration and discovery. Programs are developed and delivered by qualified teachers to help children make a smooth transition to primary school.
- State-of-the-art spaces that connect with nature, for comfortable and sensory learning
- An expansive, fully landscaped outdoor area that fosters an awareness and appreciation of nature
- Play-based programs designed by experienced and qualified teachers
- High-quality learning experiences with a holistic focus
- Extra curricular activities to enrich children’s learning
- Dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones to support busy families
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Willowdale Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Willowdale 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.

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11 Willowdale DriveDenham Court, NSW, 2565

Centre Reviews
Yesterday was my daughter’s last day at Good Start Willowdale, after being enrolled there for just 2.5 months. The centre itself is conveniently... Yesterday was my daughter’s last day at Good Start Willowdale, after being enrolled there for just 2.5 months. The centre itself is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from our home. The management team has been friendly, responsive, and very accommodating throughout our time there. The facility is clean, well-organized, and has all the necessary amenities. Despite all these positives, we were sadly forced to withdraw our daughter solely due to our experience with one carer named Samreen. From the beginning, she came across as rude and loud in her communication. She repeatedly complained that our daughter was "too clingy"—which we found quite inappropriate given she is only 7 months old. We received almost daily phone calls just 1-2 hours after drop-off, asking us to come and pick up our daughter, even though we had paid for full-day care. We accommodated these requests patiently, hoping things would improve. However, matters worsened when we gently asked if she could try giving our daughter her milk before putting her to sleep, as it usually helps her settle. Instead of taking it as a suggestion, the conversation turned confrontational. What made us feel even more uncomfortable was when Samreen asked us, “Would you rather not be informed if your baby is unwell?” This question, and the tone in which it was asked, deeply unsettled us. It made us question her attitude and level of care for our daughter—who we had entrusted to her. We left the centre with disappointment, not in Good Start Willowdale as a whole—which truly has potential—but in the lack of warmth, patience, and understanding from this particular carer. We hope no other parent has to face a similar situation. Read more
I recently enrolled my 7month old baby and after 3 days of attendance I withdrew his enrolment. From day one we did not... I recently enrolled my 7month old baby and after 3 days of attendance I withdrew his enrolment. From day one we did not have a good experience, first morning I attempted to drop off my son, only one carer to be seen sitting with another child who was crying, another child arrived prior to us and was also crying, no staff attempting to settle him or take him from his dad we waited 10mins with no one approaching me to take my son so I just left, I wish I didn't return but they called me and I stupidly ignored my gut and returned. First reflection about my son is that he clapped his hands that day, my son has not clapped at all, chatgpt wrote his reflection! After the second day the carer who I spent most of the time with regarding his routine etc was transferred to a different room so essentially wasted my time doing two orientations with her to smoothly transition my son into care, but that's ok because these things happen, I assumed there would be some sort of handover but there wasn't based on the level of care my son received on his third day. The carer that replaced her had no interest in listening to what my sons routine was which was incredibly frustrating considering she didn't even bother to feed my son breakfast, I found myself calling the centre multiple times because they had no idea about my son or when he ate, when he slept, the fact that he eats breakfast! Everytime I spoke to someone they would give me a different version of why my son wasn't fed breakfast, there was no communication within that room. I pick him up that afternoon and there is another child screaming in his ear, right next to him and at no point were staff attempting to comfort this other child, I was calling out to my son for a while and he could not hear me...how long was this child crying and screaming in my sons ear??? His face was so blank, my son is always happy and smiling and he just looked so blank, it literally broke my heart. I grab his water bottle and he has had no water?? Was this not offered to him ? I get home I change him and he is screaming as I take his nappy off which he never does , it was so full as though it hadn't been changed for hours, there was also a poop smear as though he had previously pooped but not cleaned properly! I ring the centre and they tell me my sons nappy was changed 45 mins prior and that he hadn't pooped all day! What?! How could he have even filled it that much considering he didn't even have any water. There is no way that nappy was changed only 45mins prior, my son was then left with a nappy rash for a couple days, he has not had one nappy rash since he's been born. Here's the real kicker, when I returned to withdraw my son's enrolment I attempted to give feedback to the Director and she really wasn't interested. I should have trusted my gut from day one and not wasted time I needed to settle my son into care before returning to work, I feel like I was misled during my tour and orientation with the level of care my son would receive versus the level of care he did receive. I also feel like they try to tell you what you want to hear versus what is really happening during the day, they told me my son was happy all day, yet he had what looked like dry tears around his eyes. To say I am angry and heartbroken at the lack of care my son received at this centre is an understatement. It was already so hard for me to find the courage to enrol him and entrust strangers with his care and this is what our experience was, it really hit me afterwards that my son was just another number to this centre. Read more
I have been trying to enrol for kid for over a year now with no response I have been trying to enrol for kid for over a year now with no response
Hi Miller, Unfortunately, we don’t have any details of your family in our system. Can you please call our enrolments team on 1800 222 543 so that we can discuss your child's enrolment? Thank you