Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree

About Verified ( ) Centres
What Is a Verified Centre?
Verified Centres are vetted by Care for Kids. As part of this process, Verified Centres undergo a financial assessment to ensure their reliability and credibility. We maintain an ongoing relationship with Verified Centres and provide them with support so they can offer you fresh and accurate information.
Learn more about our T&Cs.
Why Choose a Verified Centre?
- Trust & Peace of Mind - listing data for Verified Centres is regularly checked and updated
- Transparency – Verified Centres adhere to our evaluation process so you can make informed decisions
- Simpler Search – Spot trusted providers at a glance and save time finding quality childcare
















Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree Centre overview
Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree Centre highlights
- Small, personalized centre with long-standing educators creating a stable and nurturing environment.
- Extensive outdoor play areas promoting imaginative, sensory, and sustainable learning experiences.
- Strong community involvement through excursions, events, and on-site learning activities.
Goodstart Early Learning Child Care Centre Wendouree is centrally located on the main street of Ballarat, close to businesses, medical centres, high schools, and the scenic Lake Wendouree. Established in 1996, the centre offers care for children from six weeks to five years, including a funded kindergarten program for four- to five-year-olds.
Our smaller centre provides a highly personalized childcare experience. Many of our educators have been with us for over six years, fostering stable relationships with families. Our team includes a Bachelor-qualified Kindergarten teacher, six Diploma-qualified educators, and others pursuing further qualifications.
Inside, each room—from Nursery to Kindergarten—is designed in line with the Early Years Learning Framework, offering sensory and play-based learning opportunities. Vibrant, stimulating environments encourage children’s growth and development, preparing them for school.
Our Storypark platform and regular family engagement events help maintain strong communication with parents, allowing us to tailor learning programs to each child’s needs and interests.
Outside, children enjoy a variety of play spaces, including sandpits, cubbyhouses, a stage, mud pits, a vegetable patch, and a worm farm, all promoting sustainability and imaginative play.
Our on-site cook prepares nutritious meals daily, ensuring children receive balanced, healthy food. We also emphasize community involvement, with excursions and events that teach children about active participation in society.
We invite you to visit our centre and discover how we can support your child’s early learning journey.
Fees & Vacancies
Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree Service features
See more (9)Goodstart Early Learning Wendouree 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.
Sharna Edwards
My name is Sharna Edwards and I have just taken over the role as Centre Director here at GoodStart Wendouree.
I have extensive experience in the Child Care industry, I started my journey in early years from 2018 as an educator, senior educator, educational leader and assistant director until I was given the opportunity to now lead the team as a Centre Director.
I strive to create a safe place for families that embraces and respects their cultures and diverse needs. I have a strong commitment that children have different learning styles and that every child is a unique individual. I believe that families are children's first teachers and recognize the importance of collaboration with families to support children's learning development.
I look forward to meeting you all, book a tour today!

Interested in this centre but want to keep looking?
Share and add to your favourites for laterLocation
1122 Howitt StreetWendouree, VIC, 3355

Centre Reviews

Could recommend Good Start Wensouree highly enough, both my boys have started their daycare jounrey there, and we have been apart of the... Could recommend Good Start Wensouree highly enough, both my boys have started their daycare jounrey there, and we have been apart of the centre for many years, nothing is ever to much trouble and these educators go above and beyond in ensuring our childrens development milestones are acheived, a warm and welcoming centre. Read more
Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review of Goodstart Wendouree, Carollyn! We're delighted to have had both your sons with us for many years. Building long-term relationships with families is a privilege. Our educators are dedicated to nurturing each child's development and creating a warm and welcoming environment where all children feel safe and supported. Your ongoing trust in Goodstart Wendouree means a great deal to us.
Alway had a fantastic experience at Goodstart Wendouree, my son loves his time there and always speaks so positively of all of the... Alway had a fantastic experience at Goodstart Wendouree, my son loves his time there and always speaks so positively of all of the fun experiences and his educators! They have recently had a management change and it has only benefited the centre and families in more positive ways. Read more
Thanks for the fantastic 5-star review of Goodstart Wendouree, Corey! We're glad your son enjoys his time at our centre. Our goal is to create a fun and engaging environment where children are happy to learn. Your positive feedback about our educators and the recent management change is much appreciated. We're dedicated to continuously improving and providing the best experience for all our children and families.