Goodstart Early Learning Mount Martha - Craigie Road
Goodstart Early Learning Mount Martha - Craigie Road Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Mount Martha - Craigie Road Centre highlights
- Two buildings offering tailored environments for different age groups.
- Experienced and long-serving educators providing continuity of care.
- A focus on building children’s confidence and self-esteem through exploration.
Goodstart Early Learning Mount Martha is a well-established, family-oriented childcare centre with two buildings. Our main building houses the office, kitchen, and rooms for three- and four-year-old children, while our lower centre accommodates the Nursery 1, 2, 3, and Toddlers Rooms.
We are proud of our staff longevity, with many team members having been with us for several years, and some for over a decade. This continuity ensures a stable and nurturing environment for your child, supported by a close-knit, dedicated team of educators.
Our approach focuses on building strong foundations by fostering children’s self-esteem and confidence, encouraging them to explore and engage with the world around them.
Throughout the year, we celebrate special events that bring families together, strengthening our sense of community.
We warmly invite you to visit and see how we can support your child’s early learning journey. Contact us via email, or phone, or drop by to arrange a tour.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Mount Martha - Craigie Road Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Mount Martha - Craigie Road 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.
Donna Staunton-Clarke
Hi, I’m Donna Staunton-Clarke and I’m the Centre Director here at Goodstart Mount Martha, Craigie Road.
I have been the Centre Director at Goodstart Craigie Road since March 2024, and I was also the Centre Director here previously throughout 2018 and 2019.
I have been in the Early Childhood industry for over 30 years and as a director throughout the past 17 years. I have also worked in a range of services such as a trainer/assessor teaching the Cert III and Diploma in Children’s Services, a family day care coordinator supporting over 50 family day care educators and as an independent consultant supporting new centres to open. My experiences have been both here in Australia and prior to this in England where I am from.
My Early Learning values:
I strongly believe that your child’s first experiences in early childhood education should be positive and fun as these are the years where we can teach the love for learning, friendship building, resilience, and enquiry.
What I love about our community:
I have lived on the Mornington peninsula for the past 16 years since I arrived with my family in Australia. 2 of my 3 children attended Goodstart and all 3 have completed their primary school years here and now into their high school years. I love the community and the connections that I have built.
A little more about me:
I am married and have 3 children, Ellie who is 20, Mia who is 13, and Sophie who is 12. I love the beach, holidays and just spending time at home with my family.
Why your child should spend the day with me (and the amazing team at Goodstart Mount Martha, Craigie Road):
At Goodstart Mount Martha, Craigie Road we strive to provide a safe, peaceful, and natural environment that engages children's five senses, provoking wonder, curiosity, and intellectual engagement. We have an amazing yard which is the original paddock which is a hidden gem placed between the 2 centres. We have a long-standing team, including 5 educators who have been with Goodstart for 20+ years, and many more with 15-, 10- and 5-years’ service.
I look forward to welcoming you and your family.
Interested in this centre but want to keep looking?
Share and add to your favourites for laterLocation
90 Craigie RdMt Martha, VIC, 3934
Centre Reviews
Our kids have been in this centre for over 3 years . The current staff and management go above and beyond to create... Our kids have been in this centre for over 3 years . The current staff and management go above and beyond to create a nurturing environment. Communication from the admin team and educators is amazing. We love the large outdoor space here too, that was really important for us. Would highly recommend. Read more
Absolutely great childcare! My 3 go here and love it! The staff are sensational and so loving, the outdoor area is incredible and... Absolutely great childcare! My 3 go here and love it! The staff are sensational and so loving, the outdoor area is incredible and not to mention the amount of toys and resources in each room! I wouldn’t send my kids anywhere else. Amazing ❤️ Read more
Thank you for the incredible 5-star review! It makes our day to hear that your 3 children love Goodstart Mount Martha - Craigie Road. Our team is passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment, and it sounds like we're hitting the mark! We're also thrilled that you love our amazing outdoor area and the variety of toys and resources in each room. We believe these elements all contribute to a fun and stimulating learning experience. We're so happy that you wouldn't send your kids anywhere else. That trust means the world to us!
After touring a number of centres in the area, this centre was a stand out for me. What I prioritise in a centre... After touring a number of centres in the area, this centre was a stand out for me. What I prioritise in a centre is the level of attentiveness, and genuine engagement from educators to children, and it was clear to see this in each room. There seems to be very low staff turnover across the centre which is reassuring and great to know that the staff are all genuinely happy to be there. And how could I not mention the incredible outdoor facilities. I love that the children are surrounded by nature and natural materials to explore every day. Thank you team. Read more
Thank you so much for your amazing 5-star review of Goodstart Mount Martha - Craigie Road, Gabrielle! Your kind words mean a lot to us. It's wonderful to know that you chose us after considering other centres. At Goodstart, we truly believe in providing attentive and genuine engagement with the children, so your recognition of this means a great deal. Your observation about our low staff turnover is so true – we strive to create a positive work environment that allows our team to flourish alongside the children. Gabrielle, we are genuinely grateful for you highlighting these strengths and for trusting us with your child's care. Your trust is the best reward for our team.