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Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

380 Dorset Road, Croydon, VIC, 3136 view map
Verified
5.0
(03) 9116 9046

Care Type:

Long Day Care, Pre-school

Hours:

6:30AM to 6:00PM

Vacancies

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon.

Address:

380 Dorset Road, Croydon, VIC, 3136

5.0

Rating Score

Read our 48 Reviews

my grandson attends this center and he receives the most beautiful care and education. our family loves that the team are so experienced and long standing

- Wendy Smith

About Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

We are conveniently located for families in or commuting through Croydon, Croydon South, Bayswater North, Nelsons Hill, Croydon’s Hill, Ringwood East, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth North in Melbourne. 

Many of our Children go on to attend local schools such as Dorset Primary school, supporting a smooth transition to school.

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.

Our Learning Environments

Our children benefit from familiar faces as they grow, creating a sense of continuity:

  • Nursery (0-2 years): A safe, nurturing environment for babies to explore with tailored sensory and social experiences.
  • Toddler (2-3 years): Play-based learning encourages curiosity, confidence, and social skills.
  • Kindergarten (3-6 years): A stimulating learning environment that prepares our children for school through our Enhanced Learning Program.

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.

Innovative Early Learning Programs

Our teachers deliver the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF or the national curriculum) through play-based learning that covers language, literacy, numeracy, STEM, social, and emotional development. Our program also includes:

  • Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR), an evidence-based program developed by Queensland University of Technology to support children’s executive function and self-regulation.
  • Environmental and social sustainability learning experiences.
  • Personalised learning plans for each child.
  • Local school connections.

We focus on strong family partnerships through regular learning and development conversations with your child’s lead educator, learning showcases, and in-centre family events. Our Xplor app provides real-time updates and learning summaries daily to keep you informed on your child’s journey.

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Services Provided by Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

State Government Approved Programs

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Get To Know Us

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Kindergarten/Preschool Programs

Our centre offers the Victorian Government-approved ‘Kinder: Best Start, Best Life’ program for 3–4-year-olds, providing up to 15 hours per week of funded Kindergarten. This program supports children’s learning, development, and well-being, setting them up for future success.

Our Enhanced Learning Program for Kindergarten children focuses on:

  • Numeracy & Literacy: Developing key skills for lifelong learning.
  • Self-Regulation: Fostering emotional control and resilience.
  • Social & Emotional Development: Supporting independence and building healthy relationships.
  • Creativity & Problem-Solving: Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

With extended hours and a year-round program (excluding public holidays), our Kindergarten program is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers committed to supporting your child’s individual development.

Additional Benefits Include:

  • Government subsidy: Further reduces out-of-pocket Kinder fees in addition to your eligible Childcare Subsidy (CCS).
  • Personalised Learning Plans: Tailored to your child’s unique needs.
  • Rhythm and Resilience Program: Music and movement to improve emotional regulation.
  • School Readiness: Preparing your child for a smooth transition to school.

We also engage with local schools and provide transition statements, ensuring your child feels confident and prepared for the next steps in their education journey. Stay connected with your child’s progress via our Xplor platform, which offers regular updates on their learning and development.

About the Curriculum

About the Curriculum

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, director and the actor in their own play” - Magda Gerber

Nursery Space: 6 weeks – 2 years

Learning starts from before birth, and our Educators have created a welcoming and nurturing nursery environment where each baby feels safe to explore and discover new things - through their senses, their communication and cues (body language, facial expression and sounds) and through experimentation. On any given day you can see the nursery children engaging in all types of play including sensory play, music time, story time and more. Every day provides a brand new, exciting adventure for our babies to support their development, learning and wellbeing.

Toddler Space: 2 - 3 years

Our teachers and educators encourage the children to learn through play to help enhance their sensory-motor development. This happens through carefully planned music, dance, games, role playing and reading experiences.

On any given day the Toddlers can be seen developing their numeracy by building a tower, sorting objects, pointing and identifying shapes and patterns and participating in counting songs and games.

Children in our toddler space are encouraged to participate in group play. Group play is important as it helps our toddlers develop important social skills such as, turn-taking, developing self-confidence and emotional self-regulation. Our skilled team helps children through talking, planning and role modelling.

Kindergarten Space: 3 – 6 years

Kindergarten is a unique time for learning with peers and developing skills for later learning including confidence and curiosity, important skills for starting school. Our play-based program has school readiness at its core, encouraging active engagement in learning and supporting a range of positive developmental outcomes including resilience, independence, critical thinking and creativity.

The oral language supports literacy learning and a child’s oral language ability is the best predictor for later success in learning to read and write. Hearing the sounds within a language is the first critical step for all literacy learning. Our team supports our Kindergarten children's literacy development by engaging in rich discussions, reading, storytelling, dramatic play and experimentation all of which introduce new vocabulary as part of everyday conversations.

Throughout the Kindergarten year, children use their language to share ideas, ask questions, express themselves, and connect with peers and adults in social settings.

Social-emotional skills, including the ability to self-regulate emotions, are supported through group learning experiences. Our team supports each child’s social and emotional development by labelling and talking about emotions and supporting appropriate responses as together, they engage in new and challenging situations. Our goal in the kindergarten year is to prepare children and families for a smooth transition to primary school.

Health and Nutrition

Health and Nutrition

Our centre chef prepares and cooks nutritious meals daily, catering to the unique dietary requirements of every child. We believe that by encouraging active participation (such as growing their own fruit and vegetables, preparing, and finally cooking!) children learn to appreciate and understand the importance of healthy eating across a wide variety of food.

Our centre offers seasonal whole food-based menus – created to delight the fussiest eaters.

In Person Tour

Want to see the centre first hand? Book a tour with Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon below.

Fees & Vacancies

Infant

0-1 years

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Friday

Toddler

1-2 years

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Pre-Kindy

2-3 years

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Kindy

3-5 years

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Your enquiry will be sent directly to the Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon.

Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon Reviews (48)

5.0

Rating Score

Wendy Smith image

Wendy Smith

Apr, 2025

my grandson attends this center and he receives the most beautiful care and education. our family loves that the team are so experienced and long standing

Eileen Erle image

Eileen Erle

Jan, 2025

Its a fantastic place for the children

Brodie image

Brodie

May, 2024

The past 3.5 years that my son has attended Croydon Headstart we have seen him flourish and grow. The Educators there are nothing short of amazing and have allowed my son to thrive in a safe, trusting and developmentally appropriate environment. My son has made some strong connections with Educators as well as some wonderful friendships with his peers which is why he loves going everyday. Management are always warm and welcoming and the first to greet my son. I couldn't have picked a better childcare to start my son’s education at. He will be sad to leave in 2 years when he heads off to school. Highly recommend Croydon Headstart.

Response from the owner 28 May 2024

Dear Brodie, thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review. 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. Kind regards, The Headstart Early Learning Team.

How Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon Compares

with Croydon, 3136

Reviews

Above average

Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

Gold starGold starGold starGold starGold star

5/5

Suburb Average

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4.9/5

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Price

Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

Contact Centre

Suburb Average

$131

NQS

The National Quality Standard is an industry benchmark defined by the government.

Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon

Meeting

Suburb Average

Meeting

NQS Rating Breakdown

Overall

Meeting

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Educational Program and Practice Meeting
Children's Health and Safety Meeting
Physical environment Meeting
Staffing Arrangements Meeting
Relationships with children Meeting
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities Meeting
Governance and leadership Meeting

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Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon