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Child Safe Organisation logo featuring colourful hands forming a star shape, symbolizing support and protection for children in early childhood education.
Child Safe Organisation logo featuring colourful hands forming a star shape, symbolizing support and protection for children in early childhood education.
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oUR PROGRAMS

Discover Early Learning Programs at Starfish ELC

Play-based early learning and funded kindergarten for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, designed to support curiosity, confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

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We provide enriching early childhood education and care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years, with thoughtfully designed environments, caring educators and play-based learning experiences that encourage curiosity, confidence and a genuine sense of belonging.

From your child’s earliest days in care through to their kindergarten years, we create a warm and welcoming environment where they can feel secure, build relationships and discover more about the world around them.

Discover our programs

Thoughtfully designed learning experiences support children through every stage of their early years, encouraging curiosity, confidence, connection and a lifelong love of learning.
Natural wooden building blocks

0–3 Years Early Learning & Care

Our 0–3 Years Program provides babies and toddlers with a warm, play-based environment where secure relationships, exploration and everyday discoveries support their early development.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Play-based learning · Sensory exploration · Age-appropriate spaces · Caring relationships
Explore 0-3 Years
Colourful stacking rings toy

3–5 Years Funded Kindergarten

Our funded kindergarten program encourages children to investigate, create, communicate and build independence through purposeful play and enriching learning experiences.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Funded kindergarten · Play-based learning · Social development · School-readiness foundations
Explore Kindergarten
Where curiosity, creativity and discovery come together

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Their questions, ideas and interests can become meaningful starting points for learning.

Our approach to early education is inspired by principles associated with the Reggio Emilia approach, recognising children as capable, curious learners who actively contribute to their own learning journey.

Educators observe, listen and respond to children’s interests, creating opportunities for them to investigate ideas through play, conversation, creativity and collaboration.

Learning shaped by curiosity

Children are encouraged to:
  • Ask questions and investigate their ideas
  • Explore open-ended materials in different ways
  • Express themselves through art, movement, play and conversation
  • Work alongside other children and share their thinking
  • Develop confidence through independent discovery
  • Build meaningful relationships with educators, friends and their environment
Discover Our Learning Philosophy
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Discover our Kitchen Garden experiences

Through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, children take part in hands-on experiences that help them understand where food comes from, how it grows and the joy of preparing and sharing fresh food together.

At the heart of the program is pleasurable food education, an approach that encourages children to build positive connections with fresh, seasonal food through enjoyable and meaningful experiences.

From planting and caring for the garden to harvesting ingredients and exploring food preparation, every step creates opportunities to learn, participate and discover.

Grow

Planting, watering and caring for herbs, vegetables and other seasonal produce helps children discover how food begins.

Harvest

Children can observe changes in the garden and experience the excitement of gathering produce they have helped to grow.

Prepare

Hands-on food experiences introduce children to ingredients, flavours, textures and practical skills in an engaging and age-appropriate way.

Share

Preparing and enjoying food together creates opportunities for conversation, cooperation and a sense of community.
Explore Our Kitchen Garden

Find your nearest centre

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Starfish ELC Blackburn South childcare centre exterior with fenced entrance and landscaped surrounds
Exceeding the NQS

Blackburn South

  • 168 Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South
  • Phone (03) 9877 3930
  • Monday to Friday: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Nearby locations: Blackburn South, Box Hill, Forest Hill, and surrounding suburbs
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Entrance and colourful exterior of Starfish ELC Essendon childcare centre
Meeting the NQS

Essendon

  • 1 Melfort Avenue, Essendon VIC 3040
  • Phone 1300 168 881
  • Monday to Friday: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Nearby locations: Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Aberfeldie, Strathmore, Niddrie, Ascot Vale and Flemington
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Front entrance and outdoor area of Starfish ELC Nunawading
Exceeding the NQS

Nunawading

  • 28 Mountain View Road, Nunawading
  • Phone (03) 9894 1688
  • Monday to Friday: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Nearby locations: Nunawading, Mitcham, Vermont and Box Hill North
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Founder of Starfish Early Learning Centre leading a team and creating nurturing environments for children
Exceeding the NQS

Reservoir

  • 17 Rosenthal Crescent, Reservoir
  • Phone (03) 9460 8200
  • Monday to Friday: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Nearby locations: Reservoir, Thomastown, Fawkner, Bundoora, Macleod and surrounding northern suburbs.
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Exterior of Starfish ELC Springvale childcare centre
Meeting the NQS

Springvale

  • 28 St Johns Avenue, Springvale VIC 3171
  • Phone (03) 9574 2888
  • Monday to Friday: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Nearby locations: Springvale, Keysborough, Dandenong, Clayton South, Clarinda and surrounding areas
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Common questions

Starfish provides early childhood education and care for children from approximately 6 weeks to 5 years, with learning environments and programs designed around different ages and stages of development.

Yes. Starfish offers a funded kindergarten program for children aged 3–5 years, combining purposeful, play-based early learning with opportunities that support children as they prepare for the transition to school.

Our 0–3 Years Program provides play-based early learning and care within nurturing, age-appropriate environments. Educators focus on building secure relationships while supporting each child’s growing communication, movement, confidence, curiosity and independence.

Yes. Booking a centre tour is one of the best ways to explore the learning environments, meet the team and ask questions specific to your child and family. Book A tour

Eligible families may be able to reduce their out-of-pocket childcare costs through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Starfish provides a CCS estimator to help families better understand what their subsidy may mean for them. Estimate Your CCS

Get Started With Starfish!

Contact our team to learn more or secure your child’s place at Starfish today!
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