Child Care Centres in Pakenham, VIC

Goodstart takes the hassle out of accessing high quality childcare in Melbourne. All of our childcare centres throughout the city feature the same excellent facilities and programs. This guarantees that every child enrolled at Goodstart receives the same high standard of care and education. Our Bush Kinder program offers outdoor learning in nearby bushland settings, where children explore, discover, and grow through nature-based play and hands-on experiences.
Our play-based learning approach allows children to learn through sensory play, as well as build a foundation for future learning. Ask about what educational programs they have available for your child and what activities they undertake. Our innovative, research-based program is designed to create a child safe environment and support each child’s unique developmental journey, from birth to five years. Great Beginnings is part of G8 Education, which proudly operates over 400 childcare, kindergarten, and preschool centres across 21 trusted early learning brands in Australia. Our dedicated Family Support Team can find the childcare in pakenham right local centre near you. You should look for centres that provide regular progress reports on your child’s development.

Guided by the National Quality Framework, we encourage meaningful connections to the world around them, while empowering them to communicate, explore, and engage as confident, lifelong learners. Speak to our Family Support Team to start your enrolment process or enquire about availability at our centres. Ultimately, clear and consistent communication between parents and childcare staff is essential to ensuring that your child receives the highest quality of care possible. We believe that the story your child lives lays the foundation for a safe, confident future – especially in these formative years. So, whether it’s the food they’re provided with, the play activities they take on, or the facilities they learn in – every detail is part of building their trust and security.
At Inspire ELJ’s Pakenham child care centre, we offer a range of educational programs tailored to different stages of early childhood development. Our curriculum integrates Montessori principles, language learning, music, sustainability education, and kindergarten preparation. Story House Early Learning’s daily fee includes meals, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, learning programs, extracurricular activities, digital updates, and supportive care essentials. Everything is designed to create a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for your child’s growth. Just like any quality restaurant kitchen, ours is fully equipped and run to the highest standards with our chef holding up-to-date food safety certifications to ensure every meal is prepared with care and compliance.
The company is developing its own unique children's centers for indoor games, operating in large shopping centers. The first Capella Play Center was established in Copenhagen and was visited by 250,000 people in the first year in Bulgaria. Later in 2011 they continued in Sofia, and in 2017 there were already Capella Play children's centers in Plovdiv and Burgas.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home. Your child will be welcomed by our team of educators, who will ensure the morning transition from home to centre goes as smoothly as possible. On arrival, share information about your child’s specific needs for the day. We ensure families start their day right with fresh treats and a coffee station in our foyer. Each room receives fresh fruit daily, and seasonal fruit is always available in the front foyer for children to take on their way out, keeping hungry bellies satisfied before dinner.
In the Toddler Room, staff aim to create an atmosphere that promotes happiness, security and respect for others. Staff like to provide a balance between independence and security by having specific limits at times and allowing freedom to make choices at other times. In this way, children have a foundation from which to grow in all areas of development.

The purpose-built centre features spacious indoor areas for exploration and creativity, with outdoor spaces designed for active play and connection with nature. The average LDC in Pakenham was approved 9.4 years ago, while across Greater Melbourne the typical centre approval is 9.5 years old. Childcare fees in Pakenham average $143, which is slightly lower than the regional average of $151 in Greater Melbourne. AreaSearch's latest population estimate for Pakenham as at February 2025 stands at a total of 58,391 people, of this 4313 are estimated to be children under five years of age. Get in touch with our Family support team to discuss waitlists, enrolments, fee structure and centre availability.
As part of our commitment to fostering healthy habits and a love for fresh food, all Story House services have introduced the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (SAKGP). This hands-on initiative connects children with growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh, seasonal food. By getting involved in every step of the process, from garden to plate, children learn valuable life skills, develop respect for the environment, and build a deeper appreciation for nutritious food in a fun, practical way.
There’s excellent teamwork among the staff, they collaborate  well to ensure each child’s needs are met. The facilities are top-notch as  well, with plenty of outdoor and indoor activities that keep kids engaged and excited to learn. It includes nutritious meals prepared by our on-site chefs, nappies and wipes, engaging learning programs, and the support of our passionate, qualified educators.