Before and After School Care

The kids are grown with confidence and feels like home, the staff are very friendly. Set in the heart of the Lakeside precinct on Bunurong Country, our Exceeding-rated long day care centre offers a nurturing, inclusive environment for children from six weeks to school age. I recently completed my placement at Little Stars Early Learning & Kindergarten, Pakenham, and it was really a wonderful and enjoyable experience. My mentor, Shikha, was incredibly supportive, calm, and experienced. She guided me throughout my placement, generously sharing her knowledge and practical insights, which helped me learn and grow with confidence.
With this in mind, I aim to provide an environment that supports this sense of wonder and provide them with the opportunity to explore and discover their world in a safe and secure way. We offer nurturing care and quality early education for children from 6 weeks to 6 years, with flexible hours (9, 10, 11, and 12-hour sessions) to suit busy families. Moving my daughter from another local centre to Little Stars was the best thing I ever did! The amount of care the staff have for the children is amazing and I know she is well looked after by all educators. The aim of the Kinder Program is to encourage children to further pursue childcare centres in pakenham their independence and develop valuable self-help skills, for now and the future. The program helps children further develop their social, pre-literacy, and numeracy skills.

Welcoming babies and children up to 6 years, Little Stars Early Learning & Kindergarten Pakenham provides high quality care and play-based learning in an inclusive and nurturing environment. Qualified educators build meaningful relationships with children and families, to deliver tailored programs centred on the best of the Early Years Learning and Development Framework. Progressing from the nursery through to our Kindergarten program, our centre has 7 learning rooms specifically designed for each age group and development. This allows them to learn at their own pace, whilst building social skills by engaging with their peers. The interior has a variety of glass windows which offer natural light throughout the centre, dedicated learning areas and room for every child to explore. We recognise the role of the family in a child’s education, and we operate in a community minded manner.
Not only are they healthy, but they are also incredibly delicious—our kitchens truly are the heart of our service. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Community Kids is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children. Our Family Support Team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Community Kids centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.
We tailor our program to meet the individual needs of every child, working closely with families, educators, and support professionals. Through ongoing communication, feedback forms, and regular meetings, we ensure each child’s strengths and challenges are understood and supported. Our mission is to promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of all children through a stimulating early learning and education experience. We also focus on the individual needs of each child and instil their desire to be lifelong learners. 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.

Our Family Support Team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Learning Sanctuary centre you are interested in that have immediate availability. We offer a community-wide recycling program and clothing drive, where families can donate clothes, books, and toys. Our foyer features an area for recycling plastics and cardboard, promoting sustainability within our centre and community. The average price is calculated using all available centre fees and normalised to a 10 hour day. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday from 6.30am - 6.30pm which caters for children aged between 6 weeks and 6 years old. Pakenham sits just above the national NQS Rating & the average rating of centres is «Meeting NQS».
Children thrive in our structured Bush Kinder program, designed to connect with nature and enhance social and  emotional development in all environments. Children may attend the services provided they will be three or four years of age for the relevant service, as of 30 April in the year of their attendance. Creative Garden uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. We provide childcare and early education for children from six weeks to five years of age. The Learning Sanctuary uses Xplor Home as our family communication app.
The centre has clear and easy to follow parent and guardian information. It also provides updates through the year on child activities and centre events.  The focus of the Nursery Program is to provide warmth, love, and security. Educators work closely with families to make sure that little ones receive the care and support they need to thrive, giving you total peace of mind. I am proud to lead a nationally award-winning service (Goodstart Sustainability Award National Winner 2014). I have worked in the early learning sector for 23 years, the past 3 of which have been with Goodstart.

Kids Club have also produced a survival guide for parents which includes stacks of activity ideas, learning resources and ways to keep children happily occupied. Architecturally designed spaces, transformed by talented interior designers, create learning environments on Army Road that are as beautiful as they are purposeful. We use CCTV security cameras in key areas of the campus to help protect children, families, and staff. Footage is securely managed and only accessed for authorised safety and compliance purposes, giving families peace of mind.
Our dedicated team of long-standing educators and teachers creates a safe, calm, and supportive environment for all children to learn and grow. Our Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers deliver a Government-approved Kindergarten program, preparing children for school. We have regular music and movement programs, sports incursions, and special events like woodworking and cultural dancing to enrich children’s learning. Our nursery room is purposely designed to make every baby feel safe exploring and discovering new things.

Management was welcoming the moment we walked through the door, explaining each process in simple easy steps. When we walked into the room for the first time, to be greeted with smiles put this anxious mother’s mind to rest. Couldn’t recommend this centre enough to my family, friends and community. We’re proud to have qualified teachers and educators, supported by a team of national education experts, ensuring the highest quality childcare and early education. We understand that it is natural to be nervous about putting your child in early learning, and we are glad that the educators and management team at Goodstart Pakenham have exceeded your expectations.
If you have an infant, we spend one-on-one time with them to establish a connection. We use songs, games, and conversations to strengthen relationships and build language skills. All children who turn three or four by the April 30, 2026, and meet the Victorian Government criteria are entitled to 15 hours per week of free kindergarten. Kindergarten is an exciting phase for both children and families, and our goal at Pakenham Kindergarten is to ensure everyone leaves with cherished and joyful memories.
Families choose our Pakenham childcare services because we combine proven early learning philosophies with genuine care. Our curriculum is carefully designed to develop essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills while preparing children for  future academic success. Choosing the right childcare is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. At Inspire Early Learning Journey’s Pakenham childcare centre, we provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children develop essential skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our early learning programs give your child a great start to life. We are thrilled that you loved your experience; our staff will definitely be happy to read what you wrote. We put customer experience and satisfaction as our priority, and your review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day.