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Goodstart Early Learning Nelson Bay Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Nelson Bay Centre highlights
- Strong emphasis on building relationships with families and children for a supportive learning environment.
- Tailored educational programmes aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, promoting confident, lifelong learners.
- Engaging outdoor spaces with diverse play equipment and activities, encouraging exploration and creativity.
Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Nelson Bay East is centrally located near schools, shops, public transport, and community facilities, making it an ideal choice for families in Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Corlette, Salamander Bay, and surrounding areas. Our experienced and qualified staff are dedicated to building strong relationships with families and forming meaningful connections with the children in their care.
We pride ourselves on providing educational programmes tailored to all ages, equipping children with the skills to become confident, lifelong learners. Our environment empowers children to engage independently while exploring their interests, strengths, and abilities. All rooms, from Nursery to Kindergarten/Preschool, are designed in line with the Early Years Learning Framework, featuring sensory and play-based learning opportunities.
Families appreciate our welcoming atmosphere and our commitment to accommodating their needs. Special events such as Grandparent's Day, World Food Week, Community Week, and Graduation foster a sense of community.
Our Storypark platform, alongside regular family nights and newsletters, ensures open communication with parents, allowing us to tailor each programme to meet individual needs and cultural diversity.
Outside, we have three age-appropriate play areas, including natural and manmade play surfaces, sandpits, verandahs, and veggie patches with a worm farm, providing a safe and fun environment for imaginative play. Our on-site cook prepares nutritious meals for the children, ensuring they stay nourished throughout the day.
We would love to meet you and your family to explore how we can support your early learning adventure. Enrol now!
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Nelson Bay Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Nelson Bay 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.
Mandy Portlock
Hello there! My name is Mandy and I am the Centre Director at Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Nelson Bay.
I have been working in the child care and early learning industry since 1984; I have been working in centres since 1991 and I have been a member of the Goodstart team since 2006. I have worked on the floor in both our toddler and pre school rooms before filling the role of Centre Director and I have gained experience in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.
I have enjoyed switching between teaching and directing roles, believing this is a good way to keep current with best practise, share skills and most importantly have time to play!
Fundamental to my work as an Early Childhood Professional are some key elements to providing the highest quality of care and education to children, including:
- a focus on play based learning
- recognising children as unique people and learners
- working closely with families
- creating interesting, challenging and engaging play spaces
The team I am fortunate to work with shares my passion for seeing children meet their potential. They are dedicated, professional, experienced and highly qualified.
We invite you to come and visit our centre to meet our team and to see for yourself our commitment to your child’s early learning journey.
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125-127 Shoal Bay RoadNelson Bay, NSW, 2315
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Centre Reviews
Cannot speak highly enough of the team at Goodstart. They look after my son as if he was their own and I leave... Cannot speak highly enough of the team at Goodstart. They look after my son as if he was their own and I leave each morning with complete trust that he is ok and happy which as a mother is huge! Read more
Absolutely thrilled with the level of care my little one receives at Goodstart Nelson Bay. Super lovely, knowledgeable staff. Feels like an extended... Absolutely thrilled with the level of care my little one receives at Goodstart Nelson Bay. Super lovely, knowledgeable staff. Feels like an extended family. Highly recommend Read more
As an Early Childhood educator I was dreading the day I had to trust others to care for my little girl. As soon... As an Early Childhood educator I was dreading the day I had to trust others to care for my little girl. As soon as I met the Director Mandy and saw the genuine level of care she had towards not only my child but all the children at the centre, I knew I had found the place for Georgie. The centre itself radiates the high level of care and dedication in which the room leaders and educators put into their programs and environment settings. I would highly recommend this centre to families who are wanting the best care for their children in the bay! Read more