Childcare and Kindergarten in Pakenham, VIC
Great Beginnings Pakenham offers long day care and a Kindergarten program for children aged 6 weeks to school age, conveniently located for families in Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Officer in Melbourne.
Exceeding in all seven quality areas
Great Beginnings Pakenham is rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard across all seven quality areas, placing the centre among the top 8% of early learning services in Australia. This reflects the care, consistency and quality of the program children experience each day.
Bike tracks, forts and garden spaces
Children have space to move and play outdoors, with bike tracks, forts, climbing equipment and vegetable gardens. Large indoor rooms include interactive whiteboards and natural materials, giving children places to build, create, investigate and join group learning.
Long-standing team and individual learning plans
Our educators have been with the centre for many years, giving children and families familiar faces from day to day. Each child’s Individual Learning Plan starts with their interests, strengths and what educators notice in everyday play, with updates shared as children grow and practise new skills.
Government-approved Kindergarten program
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program is delivered by Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Children practise routines, group learning, friendships and independence as they build the skills they will use at school.
Sign language, music and yoga
Children take part in sign language, Hey Dee Ho music and yoga as part of the program. These sessions bring communication, movement, music and calmer moments into the week in a way children can join at their own level.
Bush Kinder and local excursions
Children aged 3 and 4 take part in Bush Kinder and regular excursions. These experiences give children time outdoors, connection with the local environment and chances to practise confidence beyond the centre.
Fresh meals, fruit and foyer coffee
Meals are cooked fresh each day by our in-house chef, with a seasonal four-week menu planned using Nutrition Australia guidelines. Children receive breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack, with allergies and dietary requirements catered for. Families can also access fresh treats and a coffee station in the foyer, and seasonal fruit is available for children on the way home.
Family communication and daily essentials
Nappies, wipes and other essentials are provided to help make daily routines easier. Families stay connected through educator conversations and updates shared in our family app, including photos, notes, routines and moments from their child’s day.
Secure your place today
Book a tour to experience the centre and confirm availability for your child.
Meet our Centre Manager
Age-appropriate early learning
6 weeks – 2 years
Nursery
In our nursery environment, educators focus on building strong, secure and respectful relationships so babies feel safe, settled and supported as they explore the world around them.
Children in this age group experience:
- Responsive care and nurturing relationships that support emotional security and attachment
- Sensory exploration through textures, sounds, music and movement
- Early communication development through songs, stories, gestures and conversations
- Tummy time and movement experiences that support physical development
2 – 3 years
Toddlers
Our toddler program encourages curiosity, independence and early social skills as children begin exploring the world with growing confidence.
Children in this age group experience:
- Play-based learning experiences that encourage curiosity and problem solving
- Language-rich environments with storytelling, songs and conversations
- Opportunities to build independence, such as self-help skills and routines
- Social learning experiences that help children practise sharing, cooperation and empathy
3 – 5 years
Kindergarten
Our Government-approved Kindergarten program prepares children for school through engaging, play-based learning experiences that develop confidence, independence and a love of learning.
Children in this age group will build:
- Early literacy and numeracy skills through play-based activities, stories, songs and everyday routines
- Problem solving and critical thinking through play-based projects and exploration
- Collaboration and teamwork through group learning experiences
- Self-help skills that support school routines, such as opening lunchboxes, looking after belongings and getting dressed independently
Fees
The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your daily out-of-pocket fee by up to 95% depending on your family’s entitlements.
Nursery
0 – 2 years
$178.35/day
Toddler
2 – 4 years
$178.35/day
Kindergarten
4 – 5 years
$178.35/day
Child Care Subsidy Estimator
Discover how much child care subsidy you may be entitled to by entering the fields below.
2026 3-Day Guarantee
From 5th January 2026, based on the information you have entered, here's an estimate of your CCS entitlements and your out-of-pocket costs.
Total Fees
$0.00
Estimated CCS Fee Subsidy
$0.00
Kindergarten/Preschool Subsidy
$0.00
Out of Pocket Cost (what you pay)
$0.00
Matrix Out of Pocket Cost
Is your CCS working for you? Check the out-of-pocket cost matrix per child against session lengths and weekly days below. Please note: The table in the matrix only shows out-of-pocket costs after CCS (Child Care Subsidy).
| Child 1 | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
|---|
*Kindergarten/preschool subsidy applied: $0.00
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Frequently asked questions
A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the childcare centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time that is suitable for your family’s schedule. Click here to book a tour online.
On the day of the tour, you can observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.
Enrolling is simple, and our Family Support Team will guide you through each step.
First, find your local centre and book a tour so you can meet the team and explore the learning environment. If the centre is the right fit and a place is available, you’ll receive an enrolment offer for your child. If a place is not currently available in your child’s age group, we can add your child to the waitlist and keep you updated.
To finalise your enrolment, you’ll complete an online enrolment form through a secure link sent by our Family Support Team. You’ll also need to provide key details and documents, including your child’s birth certificate, Medicare details, immunisation history statement and, if eligible, your Child Care Subsidy details.
Before your child’s first day, you may be invited to attend a Stay and Play session. This gives your child time to explore the centre, meet their educators, and start feeling comfortable in their new environment. Once your paperwork is complete, your child is ready to start their early learning journey with us.
Starting child care is a big milestone, and a little preparation can help your child feel more comfortable and confident.
Before your child’s first day, you can talk positively about their new centre, explain what their day might look like, and practise small routines such as packing their bag, saying goodbye, washing hands and sitting down for meals. You may also like to visit the centre with your child, meet their educators and ask our team about what to bring on the first day.
When your child starts, our educators will take the time to get to know your child’s routine, interests, comfort items and individual needs. Settling in looks different for every child, so we work closely with families to help children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Most of our child care and early education centres offer nappies and wipes, sunscreen and hats, as well as nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook. Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.
For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits and spare socks.
For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits and spare socks.
Plus, anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.
It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.
Great Beginnings uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.
After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.
If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Great Beginnings is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.
Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without requiring families to provide documentation.
Contact us
We look forward to welcoming your family.