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Goodstart Early Learning Palmerston Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Palmerston Centre highlights
- Nurturing, play-based learning environments for all ages.
- Nutritious meals and personalised care included.
- Strong community connections to enrich children's learning.
Goodstart Early Learning Palmerston, located just 20 minutes from Darwin CBD, offers convenient access to Palmerston’s amenities and is close to Defence bases and housing estates. We follow the Early Years Learning Framework, where every child is valued as an individual with the right to an opinion. This approach fosters self-esteem, confidence, and personal identity.
We believe children are the leaders of tomorrow and aim to nurture their development in mind and body. Our dedicated educators provide a range of enriching experiences to help children thrive in all areas. Our learning environments, from Nursery to Kindergarten, are designed to encourage sensory and play-based learning, ensuring children are prepared for school.
Our large outdoor play area features a natural river bed rock pool, bike track, sandpit, and swings, offering ample space for exploration and environmental awareness. Sustainability is also a key focus in our outdoor activities. With year-round access to the outdoors, children enjoy plenty of shade and fresh air.
We are deeply connected to the local community through excursions, visits, and events that enhance the learning experience. At Goodstart Palmerston, your child’s development is supported by passionate educators and high-quality facilities, with nutritious meals provided daily and no extra charges for essentials like nappies or sunscreen.
We invite you to book a tour and explore how we can support your child's early learning journey.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Palmerston Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Palmerston 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.
Rebecca Jinkinson
My name is Rebecca Jinkinson and I am the Centre Director for Goodstart Early Learning Palmerston.
I was born in Australia and grew up locally in the Darwin area.
I hold a Diploma in Community Services - Children’s Services and am currently completing a Degree in Early Childhood.
I have worked in the childcare sector since 1999, in this time I have worked as an educator in in all rooms in working my way up in the industry to my current role as Centre Director.
I love working with children and believe in providing a warm, comfortable, relaxed learning environment where parents and children can feel a sense of belonging.
I look forward to working with you and your family.
Call us on 8932 4533, 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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1 Hedley PlacePalmerston, NT, 0830

Centre Reviews
I highly recommend the Goodstart early learning centre in Palmerston. The educators and staff are kind, thoughtful and are great with my son.... I highly recommend the Goodstart early learning centre in Palmerston. The educators and staff are kind, thoughtful and are great with my son. The Centre Director (Rebecca) is lovely, always makes herself available to talk to and runs the centre well. It has a real family feel and my son is happy here and developing well. Read more
Love this centre and all the staff. Caring thoughtful educators who fill the day to the brim with fun. At drop-off we always... Love this centre and all the staff. Caring thoughtful educators who fill the day to the brim with fun. At drop-off we always see new inventive ways to play being set up. Excellent communication. Great community spirit. Great menu, always do their best. Read more