Goodstart Early Learning Mont Albert Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Mont Albert Centre highlights
- Multicultural team with 13 languages spoken.
- Outdoor areas with veggie patches, worm farm, and obstacle courses.
- Regular incursions including Lunar New Year, police visits, and Dreamtime Stories.
Goodstart Early Learning Mont Albert is a warm, family-focused centre located in a quiet residential area near schools, shops, and community facilities. Our mission is to create a homely environment where families and children feel welcomed, always greeted with a familiar, smiling face.
Our play-based educational programs, from Nursery to Kindergarten, reflect the Early Years Learning Framework. Children grow through sensory, play-based learning in colourful, stimulating spaces. Outdoors, two age-appropriate areas feature sandpits, veggie patches, a worm farm, and obstacle courses.
Our dedicated, passionate educators, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years, hold formal qualifications and are trained in first aid and anaphylaxis. Our diverse, multicultural team speaks 13 different languages, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all families.
We offer a range of enriching activities, including sports, music, and movement programs. Our Kindergarten School Readiness program partners with local schools, and we host diverse incursions like Lunar New Year celebrations, Aboriginal Smoking Ceremonies, and visits from the police.
Healthy, nutritious meals are prepared on-site daily by our qualified cook, using fresh ingredients. Children also enjoy hands-on cooking experiences in their rooms.
We work closely with support agencies to ensure all children, including those with additional needs, thrive through active participation. Communication is key at our centre, with families kept up-to-date through our StoryPark platform, which allows parents easy access to their child’s learning journey, centre events, and tailored learning opportunities.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Mont Albert Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Mont Albert 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.
Kamal Daruwalla
Hi, my name is Kamal and I am the Centre Director at Goodstart Mont Albert. I have my Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood and been involved in the Childcare Sector for the past 20 years. This encompassed working in Family Day Care, owning and operating two centres, and working in a private Long Day Care before arriving at Goodstart Mont Albert in 2012.
I believe the environment plays a major role in the success of an early childhood program and should enhance the children’s interests in all developmental domains. Children learn through play and our centre provides opportunities for them to explore, discover, create, and imagine. Our team of dedicated Educators provide children with the assurance they need of being loved and cared for, while enjoying an educational program.
We consider families to be of vital importance and parents can spend time in the rooms occasionally, so that they are aware of the details of their child’s learning.
We look forward to meeting you and welcome the opportunity to show you around our wonderful centre and meet our devoted team of educators.
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15 Wellesley StMont Albert, VIC, 3127
Centre Reviews
The educators and staff do a great job. Our little one loved her time here. The educators and staff do a great job. Our little one loved her time here.
Our eldest attended Goodstart Mont Albert until he started Prep this year, he really loved his time here. There's very low staff turnover... Our eldest attended Goodstart Mont Albert until he started Prep this year, he really loved his time here. There's very low staff turnover during the many years we've been here for good reasons (a good indicator if you're searching). For our younger one we tried a Guardian childcare centre much closer to our home with a much "higher" Google rating but the experience was a total nightmare in comparison (see my other reviews). Kate runs such a great centre here, all the educators are so lovely (shout out to Fiona, Roya, Elizabeth and Shanika) and such great examples for our kids with so much kindness and empathy. Also the most special shout out to Keleigh who has over the years put so much care into making countless healthy snacks and meals everyday and always makes sure nobody is ever hungry, thank you! ❤️ Read more
We're absolutely delighted to hear about your positive experience with Goodstart Mont Albert. Your trust and kind words are greatly appreciated. Our educators, including Kate, Fiona, Roya, Elizabeth, Shanika, and Keleigh, are dedicated to providing the best care and support for your children. Thank you for sharing your heartwarming feedback, Haibo!
My daughter started at Goodstart Mont Albert when she was 9 months old and absolutely loves it. The educators in both her first... My daughter started at Goodstart Mont Albert when she was 9 months old and absolutely loves it. The educators in both her first room and now her 2nd room have been wonderful. They are warm, caring and kind and have nurtured her interests and skillset appropriately. The operations team have also been so helpful and patient, helping us set up the right paperwork for childcare etc. We are always greeted with smiling faces when we drop her off and pick her up - highly recommend Goodstart Mont Albert! Read more