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    Choosing the right early learning centre for your child is a big decision, but we’re here to help!

    We provide high quality long day care and kindergarten programs at early learning centres across Melbourne and Victoria.

    Discover our childcare programs, find an early learning centre near you, and enquire to learn more or book a tour!

    Long day care

    For children aged six weeks to five years. We encourage kids to explore, learn new skills and make friends! All-day and part-time child care available.
    Kindergarten

    For children aged three and four years old. We teach literacy, numeracy, social and emotional skills, preparing kids for success at school and beyond!
    Free Kinder and Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

    Enjoy up to 15 hours of government-funded Free Kinder at our early learning centres. Our centres also qualify for CCS, meaning eligible families can get reduced child care fees.

    Enquire today

    Fill in the form to learn more and book a tour of your preferred centre. We’re happy to answer your questions, show you around our facilities and introduce you to our team!

     Melbourne early learning centre locations

    Frequently asked questions

    • What qualifications do your early learning educators hold?

      All of our dedicated and energetic educators:

      • have educational qualifications in children's services;
      • are Senior Level 2 First Aid trained including in CPR, asthma management and anaphylaxis;
      • regularly undergo Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting training;
      • have a current Working with Children Check.

      Our integrated kindergarten and sessional kindergarten programs are delivered by educators who have a Bachelor of Education qualification.

      Beyond their impressive qualifications, our educators truly care about your child. They will work with you to help your child settle in and reach their full potential. Our educators also research and uphold best practice and use a variety of techniques to support every child's learning.

      Our sites maintain educator to child ratios at all times. This includes full supervision during play, transitions, toileting, meal times and sleep and rest. We go above and beyond to make sure your child is safe.
    • What food do your Early Learning Centres provide?

      We believe that a healthy child is a happy child. Our Early Learning Centres provide nutritious meals and snacks prepared daily by our in-centre cook. Meals are fresh and seasonal with many herbs coming from our very own gardens.

      Our menus can cater for almost all dietary requirements including allergies and cultural and religious preferences, so please let us know if your child has any dietary needs.

      As well as dishing up healthy meals, where possible we provide opportunities for children to cook, grow herb gardens and collect eggs from our chickens. This encourages children to develop a positive relationship with food from an early age.

    • Do you follow a curriculum?
      To help your child develop key skills, we deliver curriculum-based learning that follows the Early Years Learning Framework. The Early Years Learning Framework was developed by the Australian government to ensure children have the best start in life.

      Our programs are also developed in line with the National Quality Framework, which sets a high standard for early learning education and care services in Australia.
    • What safeguarding children and quality standards do you have in place?
      At the Y, nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We embed child-safe practices into everything we do and we are accredited by the Australian Childhood Foundation as a child-safe organisation.

      We also aim to exceed the National Quality Framework (NQF) in our everyday practice. The NQF governs all early childhood and school aged education and care services in Australia and ensures all services operate to a high-quality standard.

      Find out more about our safeguarding children and quality standards and the policies we have in place to ensure the safety of your child. You can find information specific to our early learning services in our family handbook.
    • Where can I find out more about Early Learning at the Y?

      Our Family Handbook has everything you need to know about our Early Learning services, including more information about:

      • our philosophy;
      • our educators;
      • our early learning programs;
      • enrolments and bookings;
      • orientation.

      Family handbook

       
    • Am I eligible for early start kindergarten?
      To find out more about early start kindergarten, you can find out more on the Victorian Government's website: https://www.vic.gov.au/early-start-kindergarten.